View Full Version : Quest Calendar 2022: The Gates of Terralon
Just before the new year, I was greeted with a Facebook Ad that actually interested me. A daily calendar with a RPG twist. My character will be greeted with a new task nearly every day (Saturday and Sunday are combined).
I rolled the dice, so to speak, and bought it. I've been playing through the brief prologue the past couple of weeks with Commander Royce Barrington, a human commander. Royce has served The Great High King Maruck Vulgaar for 20 years. Royce was tasked with destroying their world of demons with the Zenith Bomb. To do so, he needed to travel with his army to the Sun Temple.
It was a slow push through, but I rolled for stuff, chose my weapon, and then travelled to the Sun Temple. I chose a Northern route, because it took me through the woods...the Southern route appeared to be a path down by a river. I then met up with a guardian that was protecting the Divine Gate in the Sun Temple. He asked me a riddle and I defeated it.
Going through the Divine Gate, my army was met with demons. I fought four of them and did well...but the next day I had three more to fight and the struggle became real. I took damage and eventually passed through to the Demonic Temple.
I had two paths to take...left or right. I chose left because, well, the right side looked like it could lead into a maze. I went into a room with what appeared to be a sacrificial altar. I found a locked compartment on it, broke the lock (strength roll), and received a health potion.
I moved on to the next room and was greeted with a medium sized snarling beast...but the light wasn't good enough to see it well. The darn thing got a bite on me before I was able to make it to the portal chamber. I'm supposed to set up the Zenith Bomb in this chamber. Unfortunately my rolls against Intellect and Wisdom did not go well. I eventually get the Bomb set, but not before a Gate Guardian hits me. I swap blows the Guardian over this past weekend, but I was not able to defeat it. It eventually fleed as it sensed the Zenith Bomb was about to blow. Royce perishes as the Zenith Bomb explodes...but the Gate will be destroyed as well.
In case you are interested, the game can be found here at sundialgames.com
You can buy the calendar, dice, what have you or have you not there as well.
I hate to recap it like that, as it did take almost 3 weeks to get here...but I decided I enjoyed it enough I'd like to document my journey.
Now that the prologue is over, I'm tasked with deciding which of the characters to take over.
Azmyra the Reckless, Half-Demon Swashbuckler
A expert swordswoman and highly skilled adventurer with an knack for avoiding danger, taking from others, and doing it all in style.
Sir Gareth Stalworth, Human Cleric
A noble and mighty warrior with powers to restore and heal derived from his faith and virtue of his good deeds
Professor Tyrnnicus Wyvern, Draakon Elementalist
An intelligent and capable spellcaster mastering the ability to command the core elements into impressive manifestations of power.
Tsavani Moonchaser, Feline Monk
A nimble and fearful fighter that can channel Chi energy to influence the course of battle with mastery over both mental and physical limits.
Syntax 12B047-2, Machine Artificer
A unique creation with the capacity to transform mundane materials into devastating devices with powerful results.
Mori'an Corvus, Avian Necromancer
An eccentric sorcerer with dominance over death and the limitless power that it can command over life.
Thudak the Merciless, Half-Orc Barbarian
A master of combat tactics with an ability to take a punch. A brute with complete control over his rage. Foes don't like him when he is angry.
Lyric Stringwood, Human Bard
A cheerful entertainer with a wide range of skillsets. He is versatile in combat and in dealing with others.
Faris Leafwind, Half-Elf Druid
Friendly to critters, but not those who would trespass against nature. She devastates with her bow and masterful command over nature.
Wolfrik Grayhand, Human Paladin
A truly intimidating force driven by his oath and passion for justice. His skills with a sword are unparalleled, but Divine powers grant him power over his fate.
Zilmora the Wise, Elf Sorceress
A master in wisdom and intelligence. Her years of study in the arcane grant her phenomenal power and control over the world.
Astrid Swiftblade, Gnome Thief
Practically born with a dagger in hand. She is one with the shadows and knows how to make you hurt.
There's also an option to create your own character, which I won't be going with.
The game/calendar provided more detailed information on the first six characters...I found out yesterday everything from the half-orc down was available on their website.
https://www.sundialgames.com/2022heroes
This doesn't provide you with the extra detail that the original six characters have.
Syntax was created to be a bodyguard for a wizard that died long ago. He was recently freed.
Gareth's grandfather was a "great warrior of the light." When he was murdered on the street, Gareth took up his grandfather's charge and pledged to seek out and correct injustice.
The Professor is a misunderstood beast. He's always wanted to be kind and fair.
Tsavani came from wealth and eventually landed in a Snowlion Monastery. She is all about having balance and control.
Mori'an is the one that worries me the most. You keep one eye on Mori'an if he comes in the room. That dude. According to the notes, he pushed his sister out of their nest to her death just to see what would happen. Apparently he resurrected her. Just to see what would happen? What did you think would happen?
Azmyra is a lifelong traveler. Not above doing good deeds, not below doing bad deeds either. Does what she wants.
Each of them, including the others, has special abilities.
Thinking there was only 6 to choose from initially, I was drawn to Syntax and Gareth. Syntax has some abilities where he can use gold to add +1 to rolls. He has additional gold as well. Gareth is the "white knight" so to speak, despite being a cleric. The last one I was interested in was Azmyra. She has a pickpocket skill that has the potential to lower her virtue, despite what good she may have done in the past.
After finding out about the other 6 characters, I've been tempted to just try and run with all of them. The game isn't set up for a multiplayer or multicharacter run. I would essentially have 12 different storylines going if I went this way. Fortunately, each day has taken like a minute to resolve for Royce...maybe less. I think I may go this route, with a slight twist.
Given that the game is a year long calendar, if your character were to die, there are rules (and penalties) for bringing your character back to life. I'm thinking I will not bring any character that dies back. The only exception would be if I am down to one final character...the show must go on, after all.
I've not been into dice rolling for RPG stuff in a long long time. I'm more likely to do this with Strat O Matic than in a RPG game, but this seemed interesting and I've decided to give it a go.
The Hunger Games, with my 12 characters, is about to start.
Tuesday, Jan 18
I'm greeted by Seth. It appears we're headed to Graycliff for the annual Festival and Tournament of Lords. Seth goes every year, but doesn't compete in the games.
I'm then asked to choose my character.
As I mentioned earlier, I've decided to see how much I hate life and try my hand at all 12.
Wednesday, Jan 19
I continue down the main road to Graycliff while talking with Seth. He shares stories of his hometown of Dawnhollow. As evening comes, we make a small camp. Seth encourages me to compete in the Tournament of Lords where the top prize is a land in the kingdom and a title to go with it.
From here, I determine how much gold I will start off with on my journey. 3D6. Syntax starts out with a 8 gold in addition to anything rolled.
Azmyra the Reckless, Half-Demon Swashbuckler, 11 gold
Sir Gareth Stalworth, Human Cleric, 7 gold
Professor Tyrnnicus Wyvern, Draakon Elementalist, 12 gold
Tsavani Moonchaser, Feline Monk, 16 gold
Syntax 12B047-2, Machine Artificer, 20 gold
Mori'an Corvus, Avian Necromancer, 6 gold
Thudak the Merciless, Half-Orc Barbarian, 10 gold
Lyric Stringwood, Human Bard, 13 gold
Faris Leafwind, Half-Elf Druid, 10 gold
Wolfrik Grayhand, Human Paladin, 9 gold
Zilmora the Wise, Elf Sorceress, 12 gold
Astrid Swiftblade, Gnome Thief, 9 gold
Today's action wasn't completely done. Poor Seth can be pickpocketed, if the character has that ability. Azmyra and Astrid both have that ability, and I plan to let them use it at every opportunity.
The rule for that is once per page (page being today, Jan 19), when encountering a non enemy character, you can gain D4 in gold. However, if you roll a 4, you do lose 1 virtue point.
All of the characters have started at 0 virtue, and the range is -10 to +10. While I plan to guide all of them to "do the right thing," I won't stop them from doing stuff that's in their ability set (pickpocket and locksmith, for example).
That said, Azmyra is up first. D4= 2. She now has 11 gold.
Astrid is next. D4= 3. She now has 9 gold. I'll update the above post.
Thursday, Jan 20
I continue to travel to Graycliff when I hear voices yelling up the road. When I get near, I find a man and woman frantically looking around and calling out names. It appears when they woke up in their camp this morning, their children were missing. They beg me to help find their kids.
I'm presented a choice.
A) Agree to help if they pay up front.
B) Offer to help out of the goodness of my heart.
C) Ignore the pleas and move on.
Personally, I'm for B. I want all of the characters to try and "do the right thing", in theory I'd have them all go B...but I want some variety. The father can be pickpocketed, both Astrid and Azmyra will go that route but also go B. Thudak the half-orc and Mori'an the Avian necromancer will go A. They'll help...for a price. None will go for C. Thudak would probably go for C if I let him.
A) Thudak and Mori'an agree to help if they pay. They're shocked but hand over 3 gold. Thudak and Mori'an both lose a point of virtue. Pretty sure neither of them care either.
B) The rest of the gang chose to help without promise of payment. The parents thank them profusely. Everyone gains 1 virtue point.
Pickpocket: Azmyra got the 4 on the D4. She got the gold, but loses the virtue point she gained and sets at zero.
Astrid got a 1 on the D4 roll. She secures the virtue point and a gold coin as well.
Azmyra the Reckless, Half-Demon Swashbuckler, 15 gold, 0 Virtue
Sir Gareth Stalworth, Human Cleric, 7 gold, +1 Virtue
Professor Tyrnnicus Wyvern, Draakon Elementalist, 12 gold, +1 Virtue
Tsavani Moonchaser, Feline Monk, 16 gold, +1 Virtue
Syntax 12B047-2, Machine Artificer, 20 gold, +1 Virtue
Mori'an Corvus, Avian Necromancer, 9 gold, -1 Virtue
Thudak the Merciless, Half-Orc Barbarian, 13 gold, -1 Virtue
Lyric Stringwood, Human Bard, 13 gold, +1 Virtue
Faris Leafwind, Half-Elf Druid, 10 gold, +1 Virtue
Wolfrik Grayhand, Human Paladin, 9 gold, +1 Virtue
Zilmora the Wise, Elf Sorceress, 12 gold, +1 Virtue
Astrid Swiftblade, Gnome Thief, 10 gold, +1 Virtue
Friday, Jan 21
I decided the nearby forest was the most likely place for the children to have run off to. As I get deeper in, the thickness of the forest begins to block out the sun. I look for signs the children are here.
I will be rolling to avoid getting lost while out in the woods (d20 + wisdom, Survival ability applies).
I will then roll to search the forest for the children (d20 + intellect, Investigator ability applies).
1) Avoiding getting lost:
Mori'an, Syntax, Zilmora, Astrid, and Lyric all appeared to get lost as well. As a result, they suffer a -2 modifier to searching the forest for the children. Astrid was the worst with a modified 0.
Azmyra, Wolfrik, the Professor, Tsavani, and Gareth don't get lost.
Thudak and Faris were completely at home in the woods and gained a +2 modifier to searching the forest for the children. Both sported rolls/modifiers of 20.
2) Search the forest:
Mori'an, Syntax, Zilmora all continue to struggle. They find no clues of the children...of anything really. About to give up, they stumble across a footprint the size of a child.
Azmyra, Astrid, Faris, Tsavani, and Gareth find a gold coin near a child's footprint. +1 gold for each of them.
Thudak, Wolfrik, Lyric, and the Professor all find that gold coin near the child's footprint, but also find larger animal footprints that appear to be from large wolves. They are a little more alert and ready for tomorrow and gain a +2 defense.
Syntax has an ability of Tinkerer, which allows it to spend 1 gold to add +1 to any D20 roll (presumably before the roll) for it's stats. I chose to pass on that today. Thudak clearly did well today, while Mori'an, Syntax, and Zilmora certainly suffered.
Azmyra the Reckless, Half-Demon Swashbuckler, 16 gold, 0 Virtue
1) 11 (12 roll, -1 Wisdom)
2) 13, 14 roll, -1 Intellect)
No Survivalist or Investigator abilities
Sir Gareth Stalworth, Human Cleric, 8 gold, +1 Virtue
1) 14 (12 roll, 0 Wisdom, +2 Survivalist)
2) 8 (9 roll, -1 Intellect)
Survivalist ability added to his roll to survive while traveling.
Professor Tyrnnicus Wyvern, Draakon Elementalist, 13 gold, +1 Virtue +2 defense for 22 Jan
1) 9 (7 roll, +2 Wisdom)
2) 23 (19 roll, +2 Intellect, +2 Investigator)
Investigator ability added to his roll to search or investigate.
Tsavani Moonchaser, Feline Monk, 17 gold, +1 Virtue
1) 14 (13 roll, +1 Wisdom)
2) 11 (13 roll, -2 Intellect)
No Survivalist or Investigator abilities
Syntax 12B047-2, Machine Artificer, 20 gold, +1 Virtue
1) 1 (3 roll, -2 Wisdom)
2) 3 (1 roll, +2 Intellect, +2 Investigator. -2 for roll 1)
Investigator ability added to it's roll to search or investigate. Got lost in the woods.
Mori'an Corvus, Avian Necromancer, 9 gold, -1 Virtue
1) 3 (4 roll, -1 Wisdom)
2) 3 (3 roll, +2 Intellect, -2 for roll 1)
No Survivalist or Investigator abilities and got lost in the woods.
Thudak the Merciless, Half-Orc Barbarian, 14 gold, -1 Virtue +2 defense for 22 Jan
1) 20 (20 roll, 0 Wisdom)
2) 20 (20 roll, -2 Intellect, +2 for roll 1)
No Survivalist or Investigator abilities, but was at home in the woods.
Lyric Stringwood, Human Bard, 14 gold, +1 Virtue +2 defense for 22 Jan
1) 3 (5 roll, -2 Wisdom)
2) 17 (19 roll, 0 Intellect, -2 for roll 1)
No Survivalist or Investigator abilities and got lost in the woods.
Faris Leafwind, Half-Elf Druid, 11 gold, +1 Virtue
1) 20 (16 roll, +2 Wisdom, +2 Survivalist)
2) 12 (12 roll, -2 Intellect, +2 for roll 1)
Survivalist ability added to his roll to survive while traveling. At home in the woods.
Wolfrik Grayhand, Human Paladin, 10 gold, +1 Virtue +2 defense for 22 Jan
1) 11, (10 roll, -1 Wisdom, +2 Survivalist)
2) 16, (17 roll, -1 Intellect)
Survivalist ability added to his roll to survive while traveling.
Zilmora the Wise, Elf Sorceress, 12 gold, +1 Virtue
1) 6 (4 roll, +2 Wisdom)
2) 5 (3 roll, +2 Intellect, +2 Investigator, -2 for roll 1)
Investigator ability added to her roll to search or investigate. Got lost in the woods.
Astrid Swiftblade, Gnome Thief, 11 gold, +1 Virtue
1) 0! (2 roll, -2 Wisdom)
2) 13 (15 roll, 0 Intellect, -2 for roll 1)
No Survivalist or Investigator abilities and got lost in the woods.
Sat/Sun Jan 22/23
I hear the husky breath of feral animals. I look over and see the glowing red eyes of three wild wolves as they inch closer. They catch my scent and begin to drool. There's no evidence they found the children before they found me, though. They're hungry. They want to make me the next meal.
I must:
1) Try and calm the wolves (D20 + wisdom, Animal Tamer ability modified).
Then
2) Engage in combat (D20+ attack for each wolf, Damage for each wolf).
As you might imagine, the results were varied. Sadly most were not great. A number of hits on the wolves but a number of them were just not enough to kill.
Tsavani, Syntax, and Faris were not able to kill a wolf. Azmyra, Sir Gareth, Thudak, Wolfrik, and Zilmora only got one.
The Professor and Astrid each got two wolves. The third wolf took off after that. They took a moment to carve out a piece of meat for later, gaining 1 ration.
Mori'an and Lyric managed to kill all three wolves. They not only got a ration of meat, but also skinned one of the wolves and added a wolf pelt to their inventory (worth 1 gold).
Azmyra the Reckless, Half-Demon Swashbuckler, 16 gold, 0 Virtue
Info of note: -1 Wisdom, +3 Attack, Damage is D10, HP 9, Defense is 12.
Azmyra has the ability to Dodge (Once per page to take 1/2 damage, rounded up, from a single source) and Parry (if taking damage from an enemy, +2 to next attack roll).
1) 6 (roll of 7, -1 Wisdom). Azmyra wasn't able to threaten the wolves.
2) First wolf attack. Hits with 21 (roll 18, +3 Atk). 1 for damage. The wolf doesn't die and pounces Azmyra. She takes 1 point of damage after using Dodge. Gains 2 points to Attack with Parry.
Second wolf attack. Hits with 12 (roll 7, +3 Atk, +2 Parry). 4 for damage. The wolf doesn't die and bites Azmyra's calf. She takes 1 point of damage. Gains 2 points to Attack with Parry.
Third wolf attack. Hits with 23 (roll 18, +3 Atk, +2 Parry). 10 points damage. The wolf dies.
Azmyra flees from the two wolves still standing. Final tally, -2HP, 1 wolf killed.
Sir Gareth Stalworth, Human Cleric, 8 gold, +1 Virtue
Info of note: 0 Wisdom, +3 Attack, Damage is D8, HP 10, Defense is 14.
1) 13 (roll of 13, 0 Wisdom). Sir Gareth uses a threatening stance and gains +2 defense.
2) First wolf attack. Hits with 11 (roll 8, +3 Atk). 2 for damage. The wolf doesn't die and pounces Sir Gareth. He takes 1 point of damage.
Second wolf attack. Hits with 14 (roll 11, +3 Atk). 4 for damage. The wolf doesn't die and bites Sir Gareth's calf but he takes no damage.
Third wolf attack. Hits with 13 (roll 10, +3 Atk). 7 points damage. The wolf dies.
Sir Gareth flees from the two wolves still standing. Final tally, -1HP, 1 wolf killed.
Professor Tyrnnicus Wyvern, Draakon Elementalist, 13 gold, +1 Virtue +2 defense for 22 Jan
Info of note: +2 Wisdom, +2 Attack, Damage is D8, HP 10, Defense is 14 (Normally 12, he gained +2 yesterday to defense for today).
1) 6 (roll of 4, +2 Wisdom). Professor wasn't able to threaten the wolves.
2) First wolf attack. Hits with 13 (roll 11, +2 Atk). 5 for damage. The wolf dies.
Second wolf attack. Misses with 3 (roll 1, +2 Atk). The wolf bites the Professor's calf but he takes no damage.
Third wolf attack. Hits with 19 (roll 17, +2 Atk). 5 points damage. The wolf dies.
The Professor killed two of the wolves. The third flees. He takes a moment to carve out a piece of meat for later and adds 1 ration to his inventory.
Tsavani Moonchaser, Feline Monk, 17 gold, +1 Virtue
Info of note: +1 Wisdom, +2 Attack, Damage is D8, HP 8, Defense is 13. Has the Animal Tamer ability (+2 to train or handle animals).
1) 20 (roll of 17, +1 Wisdom, +2 Animal Tamer). Tsavani uses a threatening stance and gains +2 defense.
2) First wolf attack. Hits with 11 (roll 9, +2 Atk). 2 for damage. The wolf doesn't die and pounces on Tsavani. She takes 1 damage.
Second wolf attack. Hits with 11 (roll 9, +2 Atk). The wolf bites the Tsavani's calf but she takes no damage.
Third wolf attack. Misses with 8 (roll 6, +2 Atk). The wolf bites her shoulder but there's no damage.
Tsavani failed to kill any of the wolves and flees.
Syntax 12B047-2, Machine Artificer, 20 gold, +1 Virtue
Info of note: -2 Wisdom, +2 Attack, Damage is D8, HP 11, Defense is 13.
1) 6 (roll of 4, -2 Wisdom). Syntax did not threaten the wolves.
2) First wolf attack. Miss with 7 (roll 5, +2 Atk). Syntax takes 1 damage from the wolf.
Second wolf attack. Misses with 3 (roll 1, +2 Atk). Syntax is hit but for no damage.
Third wolf attack. Misses with 6 (roll 4, +2 Atk). Syntax is hit but for no damage.
Syntax failed to kill any of the wolves and flees.
Mori'an Corvus, Avian Necromancer, 9 gold, -1 Virtue
Info of note: -1 Wisdom, +1 Attack, Damage is D12, HP 12, Defense is 12.
1) 16 (roll of 17, -1 Wisdom). Mori'an gains +2 defense for today.
2) First wolf attack. Hits with 17 (roll 16, +1 Atk). Damage of 6. The wolf dies.
Second wolf attack. Hits with 19 (roll 18, +1 Atk). Damage of 11. The wolf dies.
Third wolf attack. Hits with 15 (roll 14, +1 Atk). Damage of 5. The wolf dies.
Mori'an killed all three wolves. Gains 1 ration of wolf meat and one wolf pelt to sell later (worth 1 gold).
Thudak the Merciless, Half-Orc Barbarian, 14 gold, -1 Virtue +2 defense for 22 Jan
Info of note: 0 Wisdom, +1 Attack, Damage is D12, HP 14, Defense is 13 (11 normally).
1) 14 (roll of 14, 0 Wisdom). His threatening stance works out. His defense is now 15 today.
2) First wolf attack. Miss with 5 (roll 4, +1 Atk). Thudak takes 1 damage.
Second wolf attack. Hits with 11 (roll 10, +1 Atk). Damage of 10. The wolf dies.
Third wolf attack. Miss with 7 (roll 6, +1 Atk). Thudak does not take damage.
Thudak killed one wolf but is forced to flee from the other two. He took one damage.
Lyric Stringwood, Human Bard, 14 gold, +1 Virtue +2 defense for 22 Jan
Info of note: -2 Wisdom, +3 Attack, Damage is D8, HP 10, Defense is 15 (13 normally). Animal Tamer ability. Insult ability (once per page, add d6 to a damage roll). Sleepy Melody (Once per page add d4 to attack roll).
1) 5 (roll of 5, -2 Wisdom, +2 Animal Tamer). No bonus to defense for the bard.
2) First wolf attack. Hits with 19 (roll 16, +3 Atk). Damage of 5. The wolf dies.
Second wolf attack. Hits with 19 (roll 18, +3 Atk). Damage of 6. The wolf dies.
Third wolf attack. Lyric uses both Insult and Sleepy Melody. Hits with 25 (roll 20, +3 Atk, 2 on Sleepy Melody). Damage of 12 (6 on roll, 6 on Insult). The wolf dies.
Lyric killed all three wolves. Gains 1 ration of wolf meat and one wolf pelt to sell later (worth 1 gold). They'll sing songs of his triumph forever. Or at least he will.
Faris Leafwind, Half-Elf Druid, 11 gold, +1 Virtue
Info of note: +2 Wisdom, +2 Attack, Damage is D8, HP 10, Defense is 15. Animal Tamer ability. Faris has a pet weasel ability. Once per page gains +2 to single attack roll.
1) 22 (roll of 18, +2 Wisdom, +2 Animal Tamer). Gains 2 defense (now 17).
2) First wolf attack. Hits with 11 (roll 9, +2 Atk). Damage of 2. Faris takes 1 damage.
Second wolf attack. Hits with 19 (roll 18, +2 Atk). Damage of 1. Faris takes no damage.
Third wolf attack. Faris uses her pet weasel. Hits with 21 (roll 17, +2 Atk, +2 weasel). Damage of 2. Faris takes no damage.
Faris failed to kill any of the wolves and flees with 1 damage.
Wolfrik Grayhand, Human Paladin, 10 gold, +1 Virtue +2 defense for 22 Jan
Info of note: -1 Wisdom, +3 Attack, Damage is D10, HP 12, Defense is 16 (normally 14). Divine smite ability (once per page add d4 to single damage roll).
1) 17 (roll of 18, -1 Wisdom). Wolfrik gains +2 defense (now 18).
2) First wolf attack. Miss with 9 (roll 6, +3 Atk). Wolfrik takes 1 damage.
Second wolf attack. Miss with 4 (roll 1, +3 Atk). Wolfrik takes no damage.
Third wolf attack. Hits with 9 (roll 6, +3 Atk). Wolfrik uses Divine Smite. Damage of 4 (roll 2, Divine Smite 2). The wolf dies.
Wolfrik killed one wolf and flees from the other two, having taken 1 damage.
Zilmora the Wise, Elf Sorceress, 12 gold, +1 Virtue
Info of note: +2 Wisdom, +2 Attack, Damage is D12, HP 10, Defense is 12. Illusion Ability (once per page, Add d4 to attack roll)
1) 4 (roll of 2, +2 Wisdom). No bonus for Zilmora.
2) First wolf attack. Miss with 7 (roll 5, +2 Atk). Zilmora takes 2 damage.
Second wolf attack. Miss with 4 (roll 2, +2 Atk). Zilmora takes 1 damage.
Third wolf attack. Zilmora earnestly uses the Illusion ability. Hits with 14 (roll 14, +2 Atk, 3 Illiusion). Damage of 5. The wolf dies.
Zilmora killed one wolf, but took 3 damage in the process and fleed.
Astrid Swiftblade, Gnome Thief, 11 gold, +1 Virtue
Info of note: -2 Wisdom, +3 Attack, Damage is D6, HP 10, Defense is 14.
1) 15 (roll of 17, -2 Wisdom). Astrid gains 2 defense (now 16).
2) First wolf attack. Hits with 15 (roll 12, +3 Atk). Damage of 4. The wolf dies.
Second wolf attack. Hits with 19 (roll 16, +3 Atk). Damage of 3. Astrid took no damage.
Third wolf attack. Hits with 12 (roll 9, +3 Atk). Damage of 4. The wolf dies.
Atrid killed two wolves. The third fleed. Gains 1 ration of wolf meat.
Today's an off day...but if you have any suggestions on how to present this better (is this thing on?) I'd be all ears.
Monday, Jan 24
I continue to track the footprints of the children through the woods. I grow hopeful once I see they lead to a clearing where I find an old log cabin that appears abandoned. Maybe the kids are simply playing inside. I call out to them but get no answer.
I am to search the areas of the cabin. D20+ Intellect+ Investigator ability if applicable.
Three areas to search. Around the outside. Inside the cabin. Well.
Our adventurers are all successful in some sort or fashion.
The search (1) outside of the house showed no signs of the children, but Sir Gareth, the Professor, Tsavani, Syntax, Lyric, Wolfrik, Zilmora, and Astrid each found a gold coin under a loose floorboard of the porch.
The search (2) turned to inside the cabin...where we found the door was locked and the windows boarded up. Some of our adventurers went the extra mile to peek through the cracks but the house appeared empty. Still, they all attempted to pick the lock (3) to gain entry. This required a D20 roll, dexterity modified, as well as the potential to use the Locksmith ability. Azmyra, the Professor, Tsavani, Syntax, Thudak, Faris, Wolfrik, Zilmora, and Astrid all were able to pick (maybe Thudak just smashed it) the lock and get inside. No children, but they each managed to find another gold coin for their trouble.
Searching (4) the well, we find the children's footprints...but we don't find anything suggesting they left the well. Shouting down the well but the only response is your echo. Each of them toss a rock down that lands with a thud...there's no water down there. The Professor, Tsavani, Syntax, Mori'an, Faris, Zilmora, and Astrid each found a gold coin as they bent down to pick up that rock.
Azmrya, Sir Gareth, Mori'an, Thudak, Lyric all gained 1 gold today.
Faris, and Wolfrik each gained 2 gold..
The Professor, Tsavani, Syntax, Zilmore, and Astrid all gained 3 gold.
Zilmora was the only one successful on all four of the rolls. Astrid benefitted greatly from the Lucky ability, which allowed her to reroll on her failed attempt to search the outside of the cabin.
Investigator ability: +2 to any roll to search or investigate.
Locksmith: +2 to any roll to pick a lock.
Azmyra the Reckless, Half-Demon Swashbuckler, 17 gold, 0 Virtue
Info of note: -1 Intellect, +2 Dexterity, Locksmith
1) 9-1 = 8, no sign of children.
2) 14-1 = 13, Door is locked, but peek inside and don't see children.
3) 12+2+2 = 16, Unlock the house. No children, but find 1 gold.
4) 4-1 = 3, Footprints, but no children.
Sir Gareth Stalworth, Human Cleric, 9 gold, +1 Virtue
Info of note: -1 Intellect, 0 Dexterity
1) 17-1 = 16, no sign of children, but find 1 gold under the porch.
2) 20-1 = 19, Door is locked, but peek inside and don't see children.
3) 2-0 = 2, Lock doesn't budge.
4) 8-1 = 7, Footprints, but no children.
Professor Tyrnnicus Wyvern, Draakon Elementalist, 16 gold, +1 Virtue
Info of note: +2 Intellect, -1 Dexterity, Investigator
1) 13+2+2 = 17, no sign of children, but find 1 gold under the porch.
2) 3+2+2 = 7, Door is locked.
3) 18-1 = 17, Unlock the house. No children, but find 1 gold.
4) 19+2+2 = 23, Footprints, but no children. Find 1 gold when tossing a stone into well.
Tsavani Moonchaser, Feline Monk, 20 gold, +1 Virtue
Info of note: -2 Intellect, +3 Dexterity
1) 17-2 = 15, no sign of children, but find 1 gold under the porch.
2) 5-2 = 3, Door is locked.
3) 11+3 = 14, Unlock the house. No children, but find 1 gold.
4) 17-2 = 15, Footprints, but no children. Find 1 gold when tossing a stone into well.
Syntax 12B047-2, Machine Artificer, 23 gold, +1 Virtue
Info of note: +2 Intellect, +1 Dexterity, Investigator, Locksmith
1) 16+2+2 = 20, no sign of children, but find 1 gold under the porch.
2) 6+2+2 = 10, Door is locked.
3) 17+1+2 = 20, Unlock the house. No children, but find 1 gold.
4) 14+2+2 = 18, Footprints, but no children. Find 1 gold when tossing a stone into well.
Mori'an Corvus, Avian Necromancer, 10 gold, -1 Virtue
Info of note: +2 Intellect, +1 Dexterity
1) 3+2 = 5, no sign of children.
2) 19+2 = 21, Door is locked, but peek inside and don't see children.
3) 4+1 = 5, Lock doesn't budge.
4) 14+2 = 16, Footprints, but no children. Find 1 gold when tossing a stone into well.
Thudak the Merciless, Half-Orc Barbarian, 15 gold, -1 Virtue
Info of note: -2 Intellect, +2 Dexterity
1) 1-2 = (-1), no sign of children. Thudak doesn't care.
2) 12-2 = 10, Door is locked. Thudak doesn't care.
3) 9+2 = 11, Unlock the house. No children, but find 1 gold. I'm amazed Thudak figured this out.
4) 4-2 = 2, Footprints, but no children.
Lyric Stringwood, Human Bard, 15 gold, +1 Virtue
Info of note: 0 Intellect, +2 Dexterity
1) 20-0 = 20, no sign of children, but find 1 gold under the porch.
2) 7-0 = 7, Door is locked.
3) 6+2 = 8, Lock doesn't budge.
4) 8-0 = 8, Footprints, but no children.
Faris Leafwind, Half-Elf Druid, 13 gold, +1 Virtue
Info of note: -2 Intellect, +2 Dexterity
1) 7-2 = 5, no sign of children.
2) 1-2 = (-1), Door is locked.
3) 19+2 = 21, Unlock the house. No children, but find 1 gold.
4) 15-2 = 13, Footprints, but no children. Find 1 gold when tossing a stone into well.
Wolfrik Grayhand, Human Paladin, 12 gold, +1 Virtue
Info of note: -1 Intellect, +1 Dexterity
1) 16-1 = 15, no sign of children, but find 1 gold under the porch.
2) 6-1 = 5, Door is locked.
3) 16+1 = 17, Unlock the house. No children, but find 1 gold.
4) 1-1 = 0, Footprints, but no children.
Zilmora the Wise, Elf Sorceress, 15 gold, +1 Virtue
Info of note: +2 Intellect, 0 Dexterity, Investigator
1) 8+2+2 = 12, no sign of children, but find 1 gold under the porch.
2) 11+2+2 = 15, Door is locked, but peek inside and don't see children.
3) 16+0 = 16, Unlock the house. No children, but find 1 gold.
4) 8+2+2 = 12, Footprints, but no children. Find 1 gold when tossing a stone into well.
Astrid Swiftblade, Gnome Thief, 14 gold, +1 Virtue
Info of note: 0 Intellect, +3 Dexterity, Lucky ability, once per page on a roll of 1 on D20, reroll.
1) 1, rerolled due to Lucky ability to 17-0 = 17, no sign of children, but find 1 gold under the porch.
2) 14-0 = 14, Door is locked, but peek inside and don't see children.
3) 14+3 = 17, Unlock the house. No children, but find 1 gold.
4) 12-0 = 12, Footprints, but no children. Find 1 gold when tossing a stone into well.
After dropping the rock down the well and discovering the well is dry, I realize that it's more than just an empty well. The kids probably went down inside it. It is wide enough to get down and there's an old rope here that might help me with that.
My only option is to climb down the well. D20 +/- Strength modifier, +2 for Athlete ability, if applicable.
Athlete: +2 for physical and athletic hurdles.
A quick resolution day. Our adventurers try to climb down the rope, but the old rope begins to tear. Azmyra (3), Tsavani (2), Mori'an (2), and Wolfrik (5, a terrible 1 roll despite 4 points for strength and athlete) all fall and land on their backside...2 points of damage.
Sir Gareth (8), the Professor (11), Syntax (10), Faris (9), and Astrid (8) managed to grab footholds along the inside of the well, but still eventually fell. They all landed on their feet, but it wasn't pleasant. 1 point of damage.
Thudak (14), Lyric (14), and Zilmora (14) all successfully lowered themselves down without issue, despite the wear on the rope. No damage, no sweat.
Azmyra, one of my favorites before we started, is down from 9 HP to 5 HP.
After getting to the bottom of the well, I find a small tunnel that I can squeeze through. It's a tight fit but I have enough room to move. It smells damp and moldy. In the distance I see a pair of yellow eyes peering at me. Clearly not the children. Whatever it is lets out a low growl and charges toward me.
Roll for two rounds.
1. D20 +Attack, Damage, and D20 +/- Constitution
2. D20 +Attack, Damage, and D20 +/- Constitution
Round 1
Azmyra (7), Thudak (3), and Wolfrik (6) all miss what turns out to be a homunculus. Lyric (12, 2) and Astrid (9, 3) both hit the thing but failed to do enough damage.
Sir Gareth (20, 7), the Professor (21, 3), Tsavani (16, 3), Syntax (11, 4), Mori'an (13, 5), Faris (15, 8), and Zilmora (19, 5) all hit it with enough damage to stun the thing.
Unfortunately for the first five adventurers, they were scratched in the face by the claws of the homunculus. Azmyra lost 1HP (dodged to lower this to 1HP) and was poisoned (Constitution roll of 8). Thudak lost 2HP (15). Wolfrik lost 1HP and was poisoned (8). Lyric lost 1HP and was poisoned (7). Astrid lost 1HP (16). Those poisoned will face an additional constitution roll at the end of each calendar day. Failure results in loss of 1 HP. This can be cured by Antidote, special ability, or by taking a rest. Rest days are built in to the calendar...at least I expect that they are. Azmyra, Lyric, and Wolfrik do not have an ability to cure poison.
Round 2
Azmyra (15 [used parry], 9), the Professor (10, 13 [used firestorm]), Syntax (14, 8), Mori'an (18, 5), Lyric (21 [used sleepy melody], 14 [used insult]), Faris (19 [used pet weasel], 8), Wolfrik (15, 12 [used divine smite]), and Zilmora (14, 7 [used illusion]) all manage to kill the homunculus. Mori'an used this to increase his health to 11 (used Leach life ability, when he kills an enemy, he regains 1HP up to his max).
Sir Gareth (4) and Astrid (6) miss hitting the creature the second time but their defense (14) prevents any damage. The same could not be said for Tsavani (4) or Thudak (3). Both lost 1HP but escaped being poisoned (17, 21). The homunculus had seen enough at this point and took off.
End of calendar day rolls for those poisoned. Azmyra (17) and Wolfrik (13) avoid further damage. Lyric (0) loses 1 more HP.
End of day HP/status:
Azmyra 4HP, poisoned
Sir Gareth, 8HP
The Professor, 9HP
Tsavani, 7HP
Syntax, 9HP
Mori'an, 11HP
Thudak, 10HP
Lyric, 8HP, poisoned
Faris, 8HP
Wolfrik, 8HP, poisoned
Zilmora, 8HP
Astrid, 9HP
Thursday, Jan 27
The small tunnel opens up to a larger set of caverns. There is plenty of room to move. It seems that something else lives here. The homunculus must have just been it's pet. Your instincts tell you that you need to act quickly to rescue these children.
I've tried a few ways to upload the tunnels/caverns map and continue to fail.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/3hyfpakhi49e9cq/map.jpg?dl=0
This link appears to be the best I can do under the circumstances.
I have essentially three routes to the end...Going north takes me to Room 1, then to 2. I can continue East to the end or head south to 4, then 3, and then to the end.
The third option is to head straight east. Go to 4, then 3, then the end.
Given these options, I've chosen to break up the 12 adventurers into 3 groups.
Group 1's plan will be to go 1, 2, end. These rooms on the map don't appear to be that terrible. 4 is the biggest cavern besides the end so this group is going to try and avoid them. Azmyra, Tsavani, Zilmora, and Astrid are all going this route.
Group 2's plan will be 4, 3, end. They're a bit stronger and we'll test these two rooms with them. Sir Gareth, Lyric, Wolfrik, and Faris will go this route.
Group 3's plan is to take the scenic route and hit all four rooms...1, 2, 4, 3, end. If, after two rooms, they're on the the struggle bus, any of them can be rerouted to the end instead. Syntax, Mori'an, Thudak, and the Professor will go this route.
I definitely wanted to make a plan for each of them before getting influenced by reading what was in the rooms.
Group 1's adventurers entered the first cavern and found that it contained nothing but piles of bones in all sizes. Just bones. No meat, tendons, or ligaments. Picked clean. You can't tell if they're animal, human, elf. Judging by the piles, there are possibly several dozen creatures worth of bones here. The hope is that none of the bones are of the children.
The adventurers search the piles, rolling with intellect and possible investigator ability. None of them find any indication of fresh bones from the children, but Azmyra (19) and Zilmora (23 investigator) find 1 gold.
They move on to cavern/room 2 and find a large cauldron sitting on top of a weak fire. Whatever occupies these tunnels must have been doing the cooking. The pot still contains what appears to be a soup. They have an uncontrollable desire to taste it. They'll roll with constitution and danger sense ability (+2 against traps and hazards). Azmyra (5), Tsavani (7, danger sense), and Astrid (2) all begin to retch and vomit from the taste and lose 1HP. Zilmora (16) felt nauseous when bringing the liquid to her lips and stopped short of tasting it.
Group 2's adventurers head to the east to Cavern/room 4. They enter the room and find another homunculus sleeping. They each try to creep around it quietly. They'll roll with dexterity and possible Stealthy ability (+2 to sneak and remain hidden). Amazingly, all of them were able to sneak past without getting caught. Sir Gareth (12), Lyric, (18), Wolfrik (12), Faris (20) did it without the stealthy ability as well.
On to cavern/room 3. This appears to be some sort of storage area. Jars of ingredients everywhere. Eyeballs, chicken feet, and various herbs. It's possible something useful can be found here. Roll with intellect and possible Arcane adept ability (+2 handle and deal with magic). Wolfrik (12) finds an antidote, but Sir Gareth (10), Lyric (1), and Faris (5) were unable to find anything useful. Wolfrik is currently poisoned, so using the antidote makes sense, but he'll hold on to it for now.
Group 3's going to try and hit every cavern/room.
The Professor found gold in room 1 (12), got sick in room 2 (3), snuck past the creature in 4 (14) and found an antidote in room 3 (14, arcane adept).
Syntax found gold in room 1 (11), didn't drink the vomit soup (robots don't drink, also 18 lol), while it woke the homunculus (4), he killed it (11 atk, 7 dmg). It also found an antidote in room 3 (14).
Mori'an found gold in room 1 (14), got sick in room 2 and lost 1HP (7), woke the creature (7) and killed it (18 atk, 10 dmg, Leach Life to gain 1HP). He didn't find anything in room 3, though (10, despite arcane adept).
Finally, Thudak probably didn't bother to search room 1 (3), didn't bother tasting the vomit soup (21), but somehow snuck past the creature (21) and found the antidote (18), which amazes me.
Of those poisoned, only Wolfrik found an antidote, but he's going to hold off on it. If he's cured from a rest, I'm hoping he gets a rest if we find the children...save the antidote for another day.
Poison roll at the end of the day for Azmyra, Lyric, and Wolfrik.
Azmyra (9), Lyric (8), and Wolfrik (10) all take a point of damage for poison.
End of day HP/status:
Azmyra 2HP, poisoned
Sir Gareth, 8HP
The Professor, 8HP
Tsavani, 6HP
Syntax, 9HP
Mori'an, 11HP
Thudak, 10HP
Lyric, 7HP, poisoned
Faris, 8HP
Wolfrik, 7HP, poisoned
Zilmora, 8HP
Astrid, 8HP
I don't see a scenario where Azmyra is going to make it back out of this alive. She missed out when I had her go north instead of west.
Friday, Jan 28
I find an open living space with a couple of straw beds and a lit fire under a cooking pot. I see the children nearby tied up and crying. They cower in fear when I enter the room, but their eyes open wide in hope when I walk into the light and they see my face.
I'm presented with three options.
A) Untie the ropes (Intellect).
B) Break the ropes (Strength).
C) Cut the ropes (Dexterity).
Of the three, cut the ropes seems dicey, but I'm going to let each of the 12 play to their strengths.
I won't go into the details for this quick day, but each of the 12 were eventually able to free the children. Only Astrid ended up cutting herself a bit while freeing them and lost 1 HP.
Unfortunately, the poison bug hit Azmyra, Lyric and Wolfrik again. Azmyra is down to 1HP and appears set to be the first adventurer we lose. Wolfrik's down to half his HP, so we'll use the antidote tomorrow to stop the losses.
End of day HP/status:
Azmyra 1HP, poisoned
Sir Gareth, 8HP
The Professor, 8HP
Tsavani, 6HP
Syntax, 9HP
Mori'an, 11HP
Thudak, 10HP
Lyric, 6HP, poisoned
Faris, 8HP
Wolfrik, 6HP, poisoned
Zilmora, 8HP
Astrid, 7HP
Sat Jan 29, Sun Jan 30
Once I free the children, I hear a cackling sound growing louder behind me. I turn to find two hideous hags licking their lips as the survey me. Their presence is unnerving and their stench is awful The begin casting spells to frighten and harm me.
I'm to roll for wisdom, then attack, then damage for each of the hags.
This does not look good for Azmyra.
In the first roll, wisdom modified, we determine if the adventurer is worried. If worried, the adventurer rolls for attack twice and takes the lower value.
Sir Gareth is the only one of the 12 to kill both hags and finds 2 gold coins.
The Professor (loss of 2HP in the battles), Syntax (-1HP), Mori'an (-1HP, used Leach Life), Thudak (-2HP), Faris (-1HP), and Wolfrik (+1HP after the Healing Prayer ability...once per rest gain 1D4 in HP) managed to take down one of the hags. The other hag managed to escape. They each find 1 gold. Wolfrik decides enough is enough and takes his antidote, curing him of poison.
Tsavani (-3HP), Lyric (-3HP), Zilmora (-4HP), and Astrid (-2HP) didn't kill either hag. I suppose the hags ran off because they couldn't believe the adventurer was still standing.
Lyric rolls for poison at the end of the day and is clear (12).
Azmyra, oh right. Azmyra was not scared of the first hag at all. While her attack roll was initially terrible, her Lucky ability changed that to a hit. She hits the first hag, but doesn't kill it. The hag cast a spell on her and Azmyra was no more.
RIP Azmyra the Reckless. We hardly knew ye.
End of day/weekend HP/Status:
Azmyra RIP
Sir Gareth, 8HP
The Professor, 6HP
Tsavani, 3HP
Syntax, 8HP
Mori'an, 10HP
Thudak, 8HP
Lyric, 3HP, poisoned
Faris, 7HP
Wolfrik, 7HP
Zilmora, 4HP
Astrid, 5HP
With the kids safe, I'm ready to leave and return them to their parents. We make our way back to where we entered the tunnels. Looking up and recalling the trouble we had coming down, I realize this ain't gonna be easy.
1) Get the girl out of the well (Strength, Athlete).
2) Get the boy out of the well (Strength, Athlete).
Sir Gareth gets both kids out without an issue. He's the only one of our adventurers to do so.
Syntax, Thudak, Lyric, Wolfrik, and Astrid all suffer a little rope burn and lose 1HP.
The Professor (-2), Tsavani (-2), Mori'an (-2), Faris (-3), and Zilmora (-3) all had struggles. Rope burns, scrapes, bruises. Faris is dinged up enough she uses her Nature's Healing ability (once per rest, restore D4 health) and gained 2HP back.
Lyric, done for the day, rolls against the poison and passes (13).
End of day HP/status:
Azmyra RIP
Sir Gareth, 8HP
The Professor, 4HP
Tsavani, 1HP
Syntax, 7HP
Mori'an, 8HP
Thudak, 7HP
Lyric, 2HP, poisoned
Faris, 6HP
Wolfrik, 6HP
Zilmora, 1HP
Astrid, 4HP
I return the children to their parents. They embrace in joy and tears.
"Thank you! Thank you! We are forever grateful that you have returned our children to us. How can we repay you?"
A) Demand payment for my services (Charisma, Intimidate ability...+2 to threaten or intimidate)
B) No thanks is needed. Just happy to help.
10 of our adventurers take the high road and say no thanks needed. However, Astrid just can't help herself. She plunks another 3 gold away from the father when he's not paying attention. They all gain a virtue point.
Even better...we learn they're headed to the Festival and the Tournament of the Lords. They offer a ride on their wagon. This results in +5 to their next survival roll.
Thudak, that wonderful half-orc, demanded payment (10). They are a bit surprised, particularly since they paid him as well before he left. They give him 2 more gold. He loses 1 virtue point in the process.
Lyric, processing his end of day poison roll, fails (4). He's now at 1HP.
End of day HP/status:
Azmyra RIP
Sir Gareth, 8HP
The Professor, 4HP
Tsavani, 1HP
Syntax, 7HP
Mori'an, 8HP
Thudak, 7HP
Lyric, 1HP, poisoned
Faris, 6HP
Wolfrik, 6HP
Zilmora, 1HP
Astrid, 4HP
Level up day!
Congratulations, you have gained enough experience to increase your hero's level.
Full disclosure, I've already read that there are 6 levels throughout this years spread out...I don't suspect I'll see another in two weeks of time.
All of our adventurers can now have 2 points distributed to their traits as desired and some health.
Sir Gareth has gained +3 Health (Max 13), +1 Defense (15), +1 Attack (+4), damage has gone from D8 to D10, +1 SP (max 4SP). Gained Investigator ability. Gained a Spell Healing Light, 1 SP to gain HP equal to virtue. I used his 2 points to Charisma...bringing him to 0 there. That was his worst attribute at the time.
Sir Gareth Stalworth
Level 2
Str +2
Dex 0
Con +1
Int -1
Wis 0
Cha 0
Virtue +2
Gold 11
HP 11/13
Atk +4
Def 15
Dmg D10
Abilities
Intimidating, +2 to threaten and intimidate.
Athlete, +2 to overcome physical and athletic hurdles.
Survivalist, +2 to survive while traveling.
Investigator
Spell Points: 4
Spells: Divine Strike (1SP add current virtue to all attack rolls this page), Smite (1SP add current virtue to all damage rolls this page), Healing Light (1SP restore health by amount of current virtue).
The Professor gained 4 health (14), 1 defense (13), 1 attack (3), damage from d8 to d12, and 1SP (4). New ability, spell Stone Skin, Use 1SP, reduce the first 4 points of incoming damage on this page to 0. I move Str and Dex from -1 to 0.
Professor Trynnicus Wyvern
Level 2
Str 0
Dex 0
Con -1
Int +2
Wis +2
Cha -1
Virtue +2
Gold 18
HP 10/14
Atk +4
Def 13
Dmg D12
Abilities
Arcane Adept, +2 to handle or deal with magic.
Student, +2 to recall history or knowledge.
Investigator, +2 to search or investigate.
Spell Points: 4
Spells: Stone Skin (1SP to reduce 4 points damage to 0, per page), Leaf on the Wind (1SP to gain +2 def/page).
Equipment and Loot:
1 ration
1 antidote
Tsavani gained 4 health (15), 1 attack (3), damage from d8 to d10, and 1 chi (given she's a monk) (3). New ability, athlete. New Chi, Evasion. Took Int from -2 to 0. This level up saved her bacon.
Tsavani Moonchaser
Level 2
Str 0
Dex +3
Con 0
Int 0
Wis +1
Cha -2
Virtue +2
Gold 20
HP 5/15
Atk +3
Def 13
Dmg D10
Abilities
Animal Tamer, +2 to train or handle animals
Danger Sense, +2 to avoid traps or surprises
Stealthy, +2 to sneak or remain hidden
Athlete, +2 to overcome physical and athletic hurdles
Chi Points: 3
Chi: Harmony, 1 Chi to remove poison or cursed condition
Chi: Evasion, 1 Chi to gain +4 defense this page.
Syntax gained 3 health (14), 1 attack (3), damage from d8 to d10. New abilities of Flamethrower and Armorer. Took Cha from -3 to -1. Syntax is one of my favorites. His abilities of spending gold to improve modifiers on rolls is very nice.
Syntax 12B047-2
Level 2
Str +1
Dex +1
Con +1
Int +2
Wis -2
Cha -1
Virtue +2
Gold 25
HP 11/14
Atk +3
Def 13
Dmg D10
Abilities
Locksmith, +2 to pick a lock.
Student, +2 to recall history or knowledge.
Investigator, +2 to search or investigate.
Artillerist (1 gold, add 1 to attack roll)
Tinkerer (1 gold, add 1 to any D20 roll on traits (ex: Str)
Flamethrower (1 gold, add 1 to a damage roll)
Armorer (2 gold, add 1 def for this page)
Equipment and Loot:
1 antidote
Mori'an gained 4 health (16), 1 defense (13), 1 attack (2), damage from d12 to 2d8, and 2SP (4). New spells: Frighten and Drain Life. Str from -2 to 0. He creeps me out and gained a spell that guarantees a victory in an intimidation situation.
Mori'an Corvus
Level 2
Str 0
Dex +1
Con +2
Int +2
Wis -1
Cha -2
Virtue 0
Gold 12
HP 14/16
Atk +2
Def 13
Dmg 2D8
Abilities
Arcane Adept, +2 to handle or deal with magic
Student, +2 recall history or knowledge
Leach Life, Kill an enemy and regain 1HP, up to max.
Blood Ritual, Once/page, reduce HP by 1 gain +2 on a roll.
Spell Points: 4
Spells: Bone Shield (1SP +2 def this page), Frighten (1SP, Add 20 to an intimidation roll), Drain Life (1SP, Additional D6 in damage. Gain that same amount in HP, up to the max)
Equipment and Loot:
1 ration
1 pelt
Thudak gained 4 health (18), 1 defense (12), damage from d12 to 2d8. New ability: Mighty. 3 times per rest? He'll be using this quick. Took Int from -2 to 0.
Thudak the Merciless
Level 2
Str +3
Dex +2
Con +1
Int 0
Wis 0
Cha -2
Virtue -2
Gold 18
HP 12/18
Atk +1
Def 12
Dmg 2D8
Abilities
Intimidating, +2 to threaten and intimidate
Athlete, +2 to overcome physical and athletic hurdles
Reckless Attack, once/page, take -2 from attack roll. Add D4 to damage if you hit.
Rage, Once per rest, +2 to attack and damage rolls
Damage Resistance, when in Rage, take 1/2 damage, round up.
Mighty, 3 times per rest +2 to any Str roll.
Equipment and Loot:
1 antidote
Lyric gained 3 health (13), 1 attack (4), damage from d8 to d10. New ability: Dazzle. Took Wis from -2 to 0. Level up saves him for now...bringing him from 1HP to 4HP. He's still poisoned, though.
Lyric Stringwood
Level 2
Str +3
Dex +2
Con +1
Int 0
Wis 0
Cha -2
Virtue +2
Gold 15
HP 4/10 poisoned
Atk +4
Def 13
Dmg D10
Abilities
Persuasive, +2 to persuade or convince
Athlete, +2 to overcome physical and athletic hurdles
Animal Tamer, +2 to train or handle animals
Insult, once/page add D6 to any damage roll.
Sleepy Melody, Once/page, add D4 to any attack roll.
Dazzle, once per rest, add +2 def for the page.
Equipment and Loot:
1 ration
1 pelt
Faris gained 4 health (14), 1 attack (3), damage from d8 to d10. New ability: Precise aim. Took Con from -2 to 0.
Faris Leafwind
Level 2
Str 0
Dex +2
Con 0
Int -2
Wis +2
Cha 0
Virtue +2
Gold 14
HP 11/14
Atk +3
Def 15
Dmg D10
Abilities
Survivalist, +2 to survive while traveling
Animal Tamer, +2 to train or handle animals
Danger Sense, +2 to avoid traps and surprises
Nature's Healing, Once per rest, restore D4 health up to max (USED)
Animal: Weasel, Once/page, gain +2 to a single attack roll.
Precise Aim, Once per rest, Add +10 to one attack roll and +d4 to the damage roll.
Wolfrik gained 4 health (16), 1 defense (15), damage from d10 to d12. New ability: Holy Strike. Took Wis and Int from -1 to 0.
Wolfrik Grayhand
Level 2
Str +2
Dex +1
Con 0
Int 0
Wis 0
Cha -1
Virtue +2
Gold 13
HP 10/16
Atk +3
Def 15
Dmg D12
Abilities
Intimidating, +2 to threaten or intimidate
Athlete, +2 to overcome physical and athletic hurdles
Survivalist, +2 to survive while traveling
Divine Smite, Once/page, add d4 to a single damage roll
Healing Prayer, Once/rest, restore d4 Health (USED)
Holy Strike, Once/page, add d4 to a single attack roll
Zilmora gained 3 health (13), 1 attack (3), 1 defense (13), damage from d12 to 2d8. Gained 1SP (5). New abilities: Student, Force Bolt. Took Str from -2 to 0.
Zilmora the Wise
Level 2
Str 0
Dex 0
Con -2
Int +2
Wis +2
Cha 0
Virtue +2
Gold 16
HP 4/13
Atk +2
Def 13
Dmg 2D8
Abilities
Arcane Adept, +2 to handle and deal with magic
Investigator, +2 to search and investigate
Student, +2 to recall history or knowledge
Illusion, Once/page add D4 to an attack roll
Force Bolt, once/page add d4 to a damage roll
SP: 5 SP
Spell: Arcane Armor, 1SP gain +6 defense this page
Spell: Quicken, 1SP gain 15 to all Dex rolls this page
Astrid gained 3 health (13), damage from d6 to 2d4. New abilities: Locksmith and Sneak attack. Took Str from -3 to -1.
Astrid Swiftblade
Level 2
Str -1
Dex +3
Con 0
Int 0
Wis -2
Cha +2
Virtue +2
Gold 17
HP 8/13
Atk +3
Def 14
Dmg 2D4
Abilities
Stealthy, +2 to sneak and remain hidden
Persuasive, +2 to persuade or convince
Lucky, once/page, if you roll a 1 on a D20, reroll and take the new result
Pickpocket, Once/page when encountering a non enemy character, gain d4 in gold. If d4 is 4, lose 1 in Virtue.
Dodge, Once/page take 1/2 damage from a single source, round up
Locksmith, +2 to pick a lock
Sneak Attack, Once/page, add d4 to a single attack roll.
Equipment and Loot:
1 ration
Thursday, Feb 3
Travel to Graycliff
Perhaps the remaining journey to Graycliff will be uneventful. Travelling along the main road is typically much safer due to the higher traffic. Also, you are more likely to see other travelers making their way to the festival.
A) Take the main road (d20 +WIS +Survivalist, +wagon ride from the family).
or
B) Take the shortcut (d20 +WIS +Survivalist, +wagon ride from the family).
Trying to keep my selections unbiased, I split the 11 up. My initial thought was 5 weaker ones for the shortcut, 6 stronger ones take the main road. However, Thudak is the only one without the wagon ride...it would make sense to move him to the shortcut. Astrid would probably like the main road for an opportunity to pick a pocket. I swap them.
I end up deciding on 6 shortcuts: The Professor, Tsavani, Thudak, Lyric, Wolfrik, and Zilmora. 5 main roaders: Sir Gareth, Syntax, Mori'an, Faris, and Astrid.
On the shortcut, Thudak did so well (17) that he went hunting while he was out there. He gained 1 ration. The Professor (11) had an uneventful shortcut trip. Tsavani (9), Lyric (10), Wolfrik (8), and Zilmora (9), all managed to get a little bit lost. Lyric had a ration in his stash and uses it, but the rest lose 1HP.
Mainroaders Sir Gareth (26), Mori'an (19), Faris (12), and Astrid (12) find that the main road is full up people on their way to Graycliff. There's a bit of a traffic jam as people are stopped at the gates for inspection. Security is up for this event. They navigate their way through the crowd and get to the gate without too much delay.
The same cannot be said for Syntax (7). The robot simply waited his turn...he lost 1HP in the process. I guess his battery got low.
End of day poison roll for Lyric does not go well (4). He loses 1HP after all.
Friday, Feb 4
I finally arrive at the gates to Graycliff. The flood of people heading to the city for the festival has caused security screenings at the gates to take a while. I step up to the guards. They both seem agitated after being at the gate so long. They do a typical search and ask us to pay 3 gold in tax for entering the city with weapons.
1. I'll roll to recall knowledge of the city's tax law (d20 +intellect +student)
I'll then have an option to
A) Pay the tax.
B) Persuade them to let me pass (d20 +Charisma +Persuasive)
C) Intimidate them to let me pass (d20 +Strength +Intimidating)
The 11 all will go through the process of trying to recall the city tax law. Syntax (18) and Thudak (18) are the only ones to correctly recall the tax is 2 gold.
As for the next option, I make decisions to split the group up before I find out the consequences. As a result, not many are going the intimidation route because I don't want many of them to have a negative virtue. Intimidation sounds like it would cost them virtue so I only have Thudak and Mori'an go that route. Mori'an doesn't have a particular bonus in that regard, but he's my least likeable adventurer after Thudak.
Charisma...I'm concerned if they fail this one the tax may go up. I only have two adventurers (Lyric and Astrid) that have a bonus here, but I'd I'm going to have Sir Gareth, Faris, and Zilmora go as well. No bonus, but the others have negative counts against their charisma.
The rest will pay the tax. That means Syntax pays 2 gold, while The Professor, Tsavani, and Wolfrik will all pay 3.
The results tell me there is no penalty for trying to persuade or intimidate, so I screwed the pooch there. You either get by free of tax or you pay it. Everyone should have tried one or the other. My bad.
Lyric (15) and Astrid (17) get by for free. Mori'an sees an opportunity to use his new spell, "Frighten" and gets by for free as well. Astrid takes the opportunity to pick one guard's pocket and nets 2 gold. Lyric (11) passes his poison roll today.
Everyone else will pay the tax.
Paying 2 gold: Thudak
Paying 3 gold: Sir Gareth, Faris, and Zilmora.
Saturday and Sunday, Feb 5/6
The city is bustling with people I have a chance to explore and visit the townspeople on my way to the market to find a room to rest and then attend the festival.
I'm to visit each place in the city. I'll get a room to REST tomorrow before going to a market and then finally heading to the festival.
The rest is important as it allows the adventurers to get back to max health, regain the once per rest abilities, and clear poison (Lyric will be stoked).
City Square
The city square is full of colorful banners welcoming everyone to the city. Several posters advertise stalls and games at the festival, metalworkers and armories for the tournament, and inns to stay while in the city. It appears the going rate for a room will be about 2 gold.
Festival Entrance
The festival appears set to open in a few days. The price for a ticket is 3 gold. I might want to save enough to play a few games.
Apothecary
The strangest smells come from a small shop where a lot of bizarre and vibrant flowers are on display. I can pick up antitodes or Health potions (2d4 health each).
Alleyway
There's a beggar here. He'd like a coin. Up to me to toss him one.
Job Board
There are quite a few odd jobs posted on a board where I can help locals and the city guard. It might be a good way to make some coin for the festival. I'll come back here after I'm rested.
Sir Gareth
By my notes, Sir Gareth is darn near broke at 8 gold. He might be the only one I have a tough choice to make on. He's reasonably healthy and not particularly in need of the rest. He'd be one for sure to send a coin to the beggar. He needs 3 gold for the festival. I'm going to roll the dice, avoid the rest. He's going to buy an antidote, 1 gold to the beggar, and save 3 gold for the festival. There's a chance he'll have a job that pays well enough, but as Sir Gareth, I want to make sure I can enter the festival and have an antidote as well. There's a chance the job board could help him buy something better attack or defense purposes as well.
The gold to the beggar, which I think everyone but Mori'an, Syntax, and Thudak will do, will gain 1 virtue. The only reason Syntax joins this group is gold is firepower for Syntax.
The Professor
At 15g, he's not hurting too much and he has an antidote.
1g for the beggar.
4g for a potion
Tsavani
17g, but doesn't need the antidote thanks to the harmony chi.
1g to the beggar.
4g potion.
Syntax
23 gold, has an antidote
4g for the potion, or maybe in his case, oil.
Mori'an
12 gold
4 gold potion
4 gold antidote
Birdman knows to stock up.
Thudak
16 gold, antidote
4 gold potion
Lyric
Everyone's favorite bard, 15 gold
1 gold beggar
4 gold potion
4 gold antidote
Lyric will sing of the days he nearly died to poison and can't afford to let that happen again.
Faris
11 gold
1 gold beggar
4 gold potion
4 gold antidote
This leaves her short on the festival. She'll have enough for the room/rest, but I'm going to gamble here.
Wolfrik
10 gold
1 gold beggar
4 gold antidote
Short on gold, Wolfrik needs the rest and make sure he's in the festival. I don't like not getting the potion, but Wolf has a healing prayer.
Zilmora
13 gold
1 gold beggar
4 gold potion
4 gold antidote
Like Faris, small gamble here I can make some coin and get in to the festival.
Astrid
19 gold
1 gold beggar
4 gold potion
4 gold antidote
One of everything, she's flush with gold.
Surprised to see Astrid didn't have a pickpocket chance here.
Lyric passes his poison roll (14).
I'm on the road tomorrow to Temple, Texas. I'm 95% sure I'll take the show on the road with me. It's been fun so far.
I did give Azmyra another go in a separate world and I've caught her up to today. She nearly died after passing the hags helping the children out of the well but she's managed to survive.
Monday, Feb 7
It's a good idea to grab a decent room at an inn before all the beds are taken. I walk into the Shiny Servant and I'm greeted with warm smiles and comfortable place to rest.
I decided to have Sir Gareth take the rest as well. I'm going to hope there's an opportunity to make enough gold to get into that festival. So all will rest today (Monday).
Tuesday, Feb 8
An adventurer can always use extra coin to spend. A local job board is a great way to earn some while helping out the locals. I can do any, all, or none of them.
Guard Needed at City Entrance
(d20+Con)
Help Set Up Festival
(d20+Str+Athlete)
Help Selling Festival Tickets
(d20+CHA+Persuasive)
After seeing the jobs were not entirely life threatening, I decide we'll give each adventurer a crack at all 3. It's a wise decision. 5 gold for each successful roll. 2 gold for the lost ones.
Guards needed:
Wolfrik (5) and Tsavani (6) grew tired of this quickly and ask to leave early. 2 gold.
The rest managed to stick it out through the end of the shift for the 5 gold.
Festival setup:
Early fatigue sets in for Syntax (5), Mori'an (3), Thudak (got a 1 on the roll despite a +5 modifier, 6), Faris (9), Wolfrik (6), Zilmora (7), and Astrid (3). They all decide to pack it in early and earn just 2 gold.
The rest are exhausted but earned that 5 gold.
Festival tickets:
Syntax (1), Lyric (10) and Faris (2) don't sell many tickets. Talked to the wrong people, I suppose. Way to go, Lyric, you're a bard, sir. 2 gold.
The rest are able to sell enough to earn the 5 gold.
Wednesday, Feb 9
The market is busy and a great place to get a few things you can't find at the festival.
I can exchange gold for any affordable goods I desire. I can also sell good back at the same price.
There are 5 items. Lockpick tools (+2 picking locks), map and compass (+2 wisdom while traveling) are the main ones but are expensive. 15 gold. That's more than half of what any of the 11 have so I pass on them.
The other items are ointment, bandages, and potion of clarity. They revolve around removing afflictions caused from "death." In theory, if I was playing this game with just 1 character, I could bring the character back...but in my scenario, dead is dead. That means these items have no real value to me.
Mori'an and Lyric are able to sell their wolf pelts for 1 gold, so not a complete and total waste.
Astrid picks a pocket. She gains 4 gold, but loses a virtue point in the process.
Thursday, Feb 10
The festival's opening ceremonies begin and everyone is enjoying themselves. I make my way to sign up for the Tournament of Lords. I'm told that the tournament was open to every commoner, but I must still register and pay an entry fee.
I must
A) Pay the entry fee of 3 gold.
or
B) Negotiate the fee down (d20+CHA+Persuasive)
or
C) Threaten the official to overlook the fee (d20+STR+Intimidating)
After the gate deal, I think everyone but Thudak will go B. Thudak will go C.
Those with +3 virtue gained 2 on their roll. Mori'an, Syntax, and Astrid are the only ones not to get this bonus.
Sir Gareth (22) was the only one successful at convincing them to lower the fee and pays 1 gold.
The Professor (3), Tsavani (12), Syntax (11), Mori'an (7), Lyric (8), Faris (13), Wolfrik (3), Zilmora (10), and Astrid (13) all talked good games but in the end had to pay 3 gold.
As for the threat option, if Thudak had a -3 virtue, he'd have gained 2 more on the roll, but he's a -2. However, Thudak (18) and his threats appeared to work. He pays 1 gold.
Astrid, paying her 3 gold, decides to pick the pocket of the official she paid. She nets 4 gold and drops her virtue another point...two days in a row. She's at +1 virtue now.
Friday, Feb 11
Everyone seems to be enjoying themselves at the festival. I should too. Enjoy some of the events and booths at the festival grounds.
Check out the different activities you can do. All are optional. If you choose to play, roll and resolve as instructed.
These games are not so great at first glance...but I will probably send everyone through 2 of them just to say I did it.
Hide and Seek Game
Pay 1g. D20+DEX+Stealthy
Win 3g if successful
Prize Raffle
Pay 1g, pick a number 1-20, if you roll it, you gain 10g.
Lock pick challenge
Pay 1g. D20+DEX+Locksmith
Win 3g if successful
Bull ride challenge
Pay 1g. D20+DEX+Animal Tamer
Win 3g if successful
Pig Races
Pay 1g. pick a number 1-6, if you roll it you gain 3g.
Chicken Chase
Pay 1g. D20+DEX+Animal Tamer
Win 3g if successful
Sir Gareth fails in both hide and seek and the raffle.
The Professor succeeds in hide and seek but fails the pig race.
Tsavani succeeds in hide and seek but fails the bull ride.
Syntax succeeds in hide and seek but fails the lock pick.
Mori'an fails in hide and seek and the raffle.
Thudak fails bull riding and the chicken chase.
Lyric succeeds in the bull ride but fails the chicken chase.
Faris succeeds in the bull ride but fails the chicken chase.
Wolfrik fails in hide and seek and the pig race.
Zilmora fails in hide and seek and the pig race.
Astrid succeeds in hide and seek but fails the lock pick.
Overall, these games were all in favor of the house (go figure at a festival, right?). Even with bonuses on rolls, the characters had a hard time succeeding.
Speaking of succeeding, Astrid managed to pick 2 gold off of someone at the festival as well.
Saturday, Feb 12/Sunday, Feb 13
I find a lone child sobbing and weeping while frantically looking around for his parents.
1) Comfort the child d20+CHA
2) Help locate the parents d20+INT
A relatively easy weekend...it was needed given the troubles I had at work this week that spilled into Saturday.
Only 2 of the 11 were able to calm the child down...Tsavani (17) and Lyric (13).
The Professor (20), Mori'an (22), Thudak (20), and Lyric (15) found the child's parents quickly. They barely knew their child was missing. They were too busy with their own agendas.
Syntax (10), Faris (11), Wolfrik (11), and Astrid (10) took a little longer to find the parents, but the job was done. The parents are relieved their boy is safe and offer 1 gold as a reward. Lesson learned: drag your feet.
Sir Gareth (5), Tsavani (0), and Zilmora (7) all take hours to find the parents who then accuse them of kidnapping the boy. Lesson learned, drag your feet, but not too much.
Monday, Feb 14
A crowd gathers around a strongman game. People are cheering, booing, and laughing at contestants as they swing a mallet at a lever to ring a bell at the top of the tower. The man operating the game bellows out, "Step right up. Separate the men and the women from the boy and the girls. Win 5 gold if you prove your strength and ring the bell!"
1) What's the catch? d20+INT+Arcane Adept
2) Optional: Pay 1 gold to play the game.
Most of them catch on that something's amiss. Muscular men can't seem to hit the bell. A strong looking dwarf took several shots and failed. None of them catch that the game has been magically enchanted. Only the best of the best can win this thing.
I had decided beforehand that anyone without a plus modifier to strength would bow out of this game. As such, only Sir Gareth, Syntax, Thudak, and Wolfrik gave it a shot. None of them hit the bell. Syntax (15) got the closest. They all lose 1g and a little pride.
I got a clarification on how many shots we could take at the bell. I know it's rigged, but I think Thudak would give it another shot. He does, he gets close (18) but fails again. He walks away angry.
Tuesday, Feb 15
I hear a whisper from behind some tents. I investigate and find a shady looking fellow.
"Psst, you wanna earn some easy coin? Come play this game." Something here feels uneasy.
The picture, wish I could easily share it, is a man with three cups.
1) Check your intuition. d20+WIS+Arcane Adept
2) If you choose to play: 2D6, then d20+CON+Danger Sense
As before, I already don't like this. I've decided if the adventurer isn't a + whatever after modifiers they won't try this.
Sir Gareth and Zilmora (both 20) are the only ones to get a feeling that if they play they may get hurt. Zilmora declines to play, but Sir Gareth continues. The rest decide they can't find a reason to be uneasy about the fellow.
Sir Gareth, Tsavani, Syntax, Mori'an, Thudak, and Faris all decide to play the game. They were warned. There's no monetary cost to play. It appears you pay with your blood.
Sir Gareth (14) won 7g, but lost 2 health.
Tsavani (12): 6g, lost 2 health.
Mori'an (11): 7g, lost 2 health.
Thudak (9): 7g, lost 3 health.
Faris (4): 6g, lost 4 health
Syntax (18) gains 7g and manages to fend off the health draining effect.
Astrid, watching others play, takes 3 gold off the odd man.
Wednesday, Feb 16
I've had quite the afternoon of activity. I head to the food stalls to look at the delectable items. There are many wonderful treats from all over the world.
Purchase any affordable goods I desire.
Health potion, 5g Restores 2d4 health.
Meal ration, 2g Prevents starvation, used when traveling.
Aged wine, 8g Add d6 to all charisma rolls this page.
Dragon's Fire, 5g Add d4 to all damage for this page.
Combat Tonic, 5g Add d4 to all attack rolls this page.
At the minimum, I want every character to have a ration, a HP potion, and an antidote (not offered here, sadly).
Sir Gareth, starting at 19g, went for the health potion and meal ration. Now at 12g.
The Professor, starting at 21g, took a dragon's fire and combat tonic. Now at 11g.
Tsavani, starting at 26g, took a ration, a dragon's fire and combat tonic. Now at 14g.
Syntax, starting at 31g, takes a ration. With his skills, he doesn't really require the potions as they're more expensive. He's at 29g.
Mori'an has 14g and skips buying anything.
Thudak, starting at 24g, took a dragon's fire and combat tonic. Now at 14g.
Lyric, starting at 15g, buys a ration. Now at 13g.
Faris, starting at 14g, buys a ration. Now at 12g.
Wolfrik, starting at 7g, is not in a great position. He needs both the health potion and meal ration. He buys both and sits at 0g.
Zilmora, starting at 9g, buys a ration. Now at 7g.
Astrid, starting at 32g, buys the aged wine, the dragon fire, and combat tonic. Now at 14g.
Thursday, Feb 17
All of the stalls, booths, and activities are closing down as the sun begins to set. Everyone slowly heads out of the festival grounds and makes way for home (or the inn). I got to leave but I'm stopped by a purple looking elf. The thief wants all my gold and is willing to kill me for it.
Three rounds of attack/damage upcoming.
Good. I've been wanting a fight since they all got to level 2.
Sir Gareth
He managed to hit the thief all three rounds, killing him. He lost 2HP, but gained 2g.
The Professor
After he swung and missed, The Professor cast Stone Skin, which essentially absorbs the first 4 points of damage. He needed it. The thief got three shots in before running away. He lost 2HP, but it could have been 6.
Tsavani
The catlike monk killed the thief in quick fashion, gaining 3g.
Syntax
Syntax managed to hit the thief twice before taking damage in the final round. It used the flamethrower to ensure enough damage to thief at one point, costing it 2g. Overall, Syntax lost 3HP, but had a net of 0g after picking up two gold the thief dropped as he ran away.
Mori'an
The Birdman used it's Blood Ritual and Leech Life to kill the thief...losing 1HP total in the process while gaining 2g.
Thudak
The half orc went into RAGE. With Damage Resistance also activated, he avoided a sloppy battle with the thief costing him more than it did. He lost 4HP but gained 1g as thief ran.
Lyric
Everyone's favorite bard crushed the thief, insulting it along the way. 3g and a new story for the bard.
Faris
Faris used Precise Aim to start the battle, but struggled through the battle. The thief got away, hitting Faris for 3HP, but Faris did manage to find 1g.
Astrid
Astrid dodged her way around some of the damage she took. She lost 2HP, gaining 1g, as the thief got away.
Big winners:
Tsavani and Lyric. Clean sweeps for both of them.
Big losers:
The Professor would be in a hurt locker had it not cast Stone Skin. Thudak would have been down 6HP as well without the Rage/Damage Resistance combo. Wolfrik lost 4HP, gained 0g.
Friday, Feb 18
The pub is lively tonight. There's a drinking contest and they're inviting anyone who wants to the stage to perform. The fun and festivities continue.
1) Optional. Drinking contest. Pay 1g. D20+Con
2) Optional. Perform on the stage. D20+Cha
3) Optional. Get a room. Pay 2g. REST
My initial thought here is everyone enters the drinking game. Everyone but Wolfrik who is still broke. Hopefully he gets coin from his stage work because everyone is doing that. Finally, everyone rests if they have the coin. Wolfrik making any coin on the stage is the only variable here.
Drinking contest:
Sir Gareth (5), The Professor (4), Mori'an (5), Lyric (4), and Astrid (6) end up getting sick and start puking. They lose 1 HP along with their 1g.
Tsavani (16), Syntax (14), Thudak (16), Faris (18), and Zilmora (16) all managed to outdrink the rest. They win 3g for a net of 2.
Wolfrik is broke. He just watched.
Perform onstage:
Lyric (19) performs and the entire pub falls silent before it erupts in loud cheering and applause. Lyric may have got sick earlier, but it doesn't stop people from continuing to buy him drinks after that performance.
Syntax (11), Faris (15), Wolfrik (9), and Zilmora (9) all performed. Not the best or worst of the night, though. A small group cheered for them.
Sir Gareth, (1), The Professor (0), Tsavani (5), Thudak (4), Mori'an (4), and Astrid (5) were all just flat horrible. Patrons throw things. Boos and laughter erupt. As they leave the stage someone buys them a drink to make them feel better.
Get a room.
Wolfrik didn't make any coin so he's going to find an alley, I guess. The rest rent their room, refill those HP, SP, and all. Sorry Wolfy. Hope the next few days aren't that bad.
The Weekend; Feb 19, 20
Two people sit at my table and drop a bag coins on it it.
"We see you signed up for the Tournament of Lords. We have a proposition for you that might benefit us all. Hear us out?"
Check virtue to determine the mission they have.
At zero virtue, Mori'an gets his choice. He'll go with the negative virtue story, since Thudak is the only other one here.
Mori'an and Thudak:
"We all know full well that the Tournament of Lords is rigged in favor of those with the highest bribe. We discovered that for the past several years, Lord Whitmoore, The Tournament overseer, has been the one rigging the Tournament. We would like to see you have a chance at winning while we make a bit of coin off of this shared victory. We want you to travel to his estate outside of the city, sneak into his manor, and change his books so that you are the one to win the Tournament. With the money we stand to make, we can pay you 10 gold once you meet us back here. His manor is only a day's travel from here. You will be back in time to begin the competition knowing full well that you actually have a chance."
For the other 9 with positive virtue:
"The Tournament of Lords is one of the most noble traditions in the land. It is the one chance where even the the lowliest commoner can prove to be worthy, beyond lineage, to claim a title and land. Such a victory is rare but it does happen. Usually, a Lord's heir wins and, thus, expands their family's influence...but it's still a hope which people must hold on to. We have it on good authority that for the past several years, Lord Whitmoore, the Tournament overseer, has been rigging the Tournament in favor of those with the highest bribe. We want you to travel to his estate outside of the city, sneak into his manor, and find evidence of this. Once we have it, we can bring him to justice and make the tournament fair again for all. We can pay you 10 gold once you meet us back here. His manor is only a day's travel from here. You will be back in time to begin the competition knowing full well that you actually have a chance."
Almost forgot, Astrid picked 2g off the guys as they left the table. Thanks, guys.
Travis
02-19-2022, 11:31 PM
Just found this and got caught up. Really enjoying the read and like how you're presenting it. Glad you decided to use all the characters and how you're showing how this plays out for all of them. Too bad you lost 1 so early but hopefully the rest will survive for a good long while.
Thanks! I really wish I could load pictures. It's a pretty nifty experience. I'm going to back the kickstarter for next year that opens next month and I recently purchased last year's "calendar" on PDF...not playing that day by day. That'll be kind of a side thing particularly when I'm on the road.
I had a tough time figuring out how to tell the story. Writing in all of the dice rolls and modifiers felt clunky so I dropped it in favor of the (Final values). It feels a bit cleaner that way.
Losing Azmyra was tough, but I thought I was going to lose Tsavani and Lyric as well. At this point, with the Level 2 everyone's in better shape right now. I'm sure the enemies are going to pick it up, though.
I'm reading the 2021 intro and I get to the actual story and able to pick my character...wouldn't you know it, it's Astrid, Thudak, Lyric, Faris, Wolfrik, and Zilmora! They do have their backstories here...I don't think I shared the backstories of the other six because these 6 didn't have them. It gives a little more flavor to each of them. I may update the original post for all of it...but that would be when I have that kind of time on my hands.
Monday, Feb 21
Travel to Whitmoore Manor
It will take one day to travel to Lord Whitmoore's manor and back. I have the option to travel during the day, which would make travel easier, or I could go under the cover of night, which could aid me in stealth activities once I get there.
A) Travel during the day. D20+WIS+Survivalist+Map/Compass
or
B) Travel in the cover of night. D20+WIS+Survivalist+Map/Compass
Splitting groups before I move on is the obvious move.
I decide Sir Gareth, The Professor, Syntax, Thudak, Lyric, and Wolfrik will travel by day.
Night travelers are Tsavani, Mori'an, Faris, Zilmora, and Astrid.
Day travelers Sir Gareth (17), Wolfrik (13), and The Professor (21) have no problem and get to the manor quickly.
The same can't be said for Thudak (6), Syntax (3), and Lyric (1). They get bogged down by the people coming into the city and have to consume their ration.
Night travelers did not do well. It was possible they could have made it their quickly, but none did. Astrid (8), Faris (11), and Mori'an (10) each consume a ration. Zilmora (4) and Tsavani (3) both got lost and ended up losing not only a ration for the delay, but 1HP as well.
All of our night travelers, though, gain +2 to any stealth rolls tomorrow.
Tuesday, Feb 22
Moonlight falls upon the Whitmoor manor. From a distant bush, I observe a couple of guards keeping watch. It's quiet. How will I get past the guards and into the house?
A) Sneak past the guards. D20+DEX+Stealthy+Stealth bonus from yesterday
or
B) Distract the guards. D20+INT.
or
C) Attack the guards. D20+ATK, Damage
Yesterday proved to be somewhat risky for the night crew, but they gained the stealth bonus...which would have worked out as the better option.
I split the 11 into the three options, based on what's the best available. Whichever is the best modifier between the two options is the one they take. If neither provides a bonus, well, there's always the fight.
Those trying to sneak past:
Tsavani
Mori'an
Faris
Astrid
Those trying to distract:
The Professor
Syntax
Zilmora
Those choosing to attack:
Sir Gareth
Thudak
Lyric
Wolfrik
Tsavani (22), Mori'an (21), Faris (19), and Astrid (27) are as quiet as the wind and hide in the shadows as they sneak past the guards. They're able to get past them without trouble.
Astrid initially fails miserably, but using her Lucky ability, she re-rolls the 1...and lucky strike...get's a 20 instead.
Zilmora (18) throws a rock in the other direction and gets the attention of the guards. Another rock thrown and they take off in that direction. She slips past unseen.
The same can't be said for The Professor (13) or Syntax (7). When they attempted to throw the rock, one of the guards spots them. The Professor kills the guards, but lost 2HP. Syntax took more damage, -4HP, and the guards escaped.
Full on attacks by Sir Gareth and Thudak result in the guards escaping. Sir Gareth lost 1HP, Thudak lost 2HP.
Lyric dropped an insult on them as he killed the guards without taking damage. Wolfrik used his holy strike and divine smite to secure both hits and kills on the guards without damage.
A bloody start for our adventurers. but they'll move on. Worst off is Syntax 10/14. I won't worry and try using potions or spells until they're down to half of their HP.
Wednesday, Feb 23
The doors and windows to the manor are all locked. With guards out patrolling (and surely some searching in the cases where the guards got away), I search for another way in. After surveying the house, I find a sewer grate a short distance away. The tunnel leads directly to the manor and is big enough to squeeze through. I just need to stop myself from getting sick and get through the gate.
I must deal with the smell. D20+CON+Danger Sense.
Then I can choose to
A) Pick the lock on the grate. D20+DEX+Locksmith+Lockpick Tools
or
B)Break the bars of the grate. D20+STR
Dealing with the smell.
For Sir Gareth (15), Syntax (16), Mori'an (20), Lyric (16), and Astrid (16), they simply use mind over matter. They've been through worse and work through it.
Thudak (10), Faris (14), Wolfrik (9), and Zilmora (13) all have their issues...but gagging is the worse of it. They suffer -2 modifiers to any rolls after this (today).
The Professor (3) and Tsavani (6) struggle, though. They both get sick. They lose 1HP each and suffer -2 modifiers to any rolls after this (just today).
I chose to split our crew based on what was their best option, but in reality there's no penalty two either. It's just a matter of finally getting through the grate. We were largely successful on the first shots, too.
Sir Gareth (12), Thudak (13), and Wolfrik (17) went for the bars, found a few rusty ones and were able to make a hole to get through.
The Professor (15) Tsavani (18), Syntax (13), Lyric (16), Faris (18), and Zilmora (15) all picked the lock quickly.
Mori'an attempted to pick the lock (5), but found the rusty bars and got through that way (16).
Astrid struggled the most. The lockpick artist, or at least we thought, couldn't get the lock (10). She couldn't bend the bars on the first shot (4), but got it the second time (13). She suffered -1HP in her struggle with the bars.
Thursday, Feb 24
Whitmoore Manor, First Floor
The manor is quiet as any residents are likely asleep. Now inside, I need to look around to locate where any documents of the Tournament and festival may be stored.
There are 5 rooms before ending at the staircase. I don't completely understand their labeling here, but it would make more sense to me if it was labeled consecutively as I enter the house. Instead, we appear to start in a trash room and work our way into a cleaning room in the top right corner of the map of the house.
It appears we can just about choose our own adventure from here. South of the cleaning room is a kitchen. South of it is the dining room in the SE corner of the map. West of the dining room is a entryway to the house. West of that is the final room we can investigate, the sitting room. It takes up the entire western side of the house. From there we end at the staircase.
In theory, I suppose I could go anywhere I wanted after the cleaning room, but I think I'll stick with a routine I just laid out. As for room numbers it will be 4 (cleaning room), 5 (kitchen), 3 (dining), 2 (entry), and 1 (sitting).
I'll reserve the right to change course if things get tooo hairy for anyone, but I have good confidence in their current status.
Exiting the trash room, the cleaning room is filled with dirty towels and linens in large piles. Clean towels and linens are on shelves. Dirty dishes are soaking in water basins. Nothing was found in this room.
Into the kitchen they go. They find a couple of servants chatting and doing light work. They stop and look at our adventurers in surprise. Unsure of intent, it's up to the adventurer to convince (d20+CHA+persuasive) or threaten (D20+STR+Intimidate) them to remain quiet.
Tsavani (11), Mori'an (13), Thudak (25), and Wolfrik (11) threaten their lives and the servants agree to sit and be quiet in a corner. Sir Gareth (10), The Professor (1), and Syntax (4) all tried this but the servants bolted out the door. Because of this, there's less time to search...they've got to get a move on and suffer a -2 penalty on ALL rolls through today and tomorrow. This is a big deal. Or could be, I suppose.
Lyric chooses to convince them and initially fails, but he adds his Charm ability (21) to help create a lie that Lord Whitmoore had sent him to check on the property. He tells them to get back to work and they do. Zilmora (3) and Astrid (6) try this same thing but the servants run out. -2 penalty. Lyric used that charm to avoid that penalty. I think it was the right move.
I wish Sir Gareth and Wolfrik weren't intimidators. I'd have rather had them try the other option...
Into the dining room. Remnants of the last meal are still on the table. There could be something useful here. D20+INT+Investigator.
Faris (-2) and Astrid (5) find nothing and move on. Sir Gareth (11), The Professor (14), Mori'an (11), and Wolfrik (11) all find an unopened bottle of aged wine (d6 to charisma for one day). Tsavani (15), Syntax (20), Thudak (18), Lyric (17), and Zilmora (19) all find the wine and a box of silver utensils worth 10g. They take both.
From there to the entryway, where a sleeping guard is found. We must try to sneak past without waking him. D20+DEX+Stealthy.
Sir Gareth (18), Tsavani (23), Thudak (11), Lyric (18), Faris (16), and Zilmora (14) all creep by quietly to the sitting room. The Professor (-1), Syntax (1), Mori'an (2), Wolfrik (4), and Astrid (8) all woke the guard. A small tussle and the guard is knocked back out, but they each lost 1HP. Important to note that Mori'an doesn't gain a HP for just knocking him out.
The sitting room awaits. Embers glow in the fireplace as we search for something of use. D20+INT+Investigator.
Sir Gareth (4), Mori'an (6), Thudak (4), Faris (1), and Zilmora (3) all find nothing and head to the staircase (for tomorrow). The Professor (21), Tsavani (18), Syntax (13), Lyric (15), Wolfrik (11), and Astrid (15) all find a copper key inside a tobacco box by the fireplace. They'll keep that for now.
Going in to tomorrow, Sir Gareth, The Professor, Syntax, Faris, Zilmora, and Astrid will still have -2 to all rolls.
Friday, Feb 25
Whitmoore Manor, Second Floor
I couldn't find what I was looking for on the first floor. Perhaps there is an office on the second floor where correspondence and records for the Tournament are kept.
The staircase is located in the center of the manor. The rooms again are number in a weird way. Directly north of us, where we'll start, is a storage room. We'll go west from there to the bedrooms before circling around the staircase to a trophy room of sorts. From there we'll go to the southeast corner and another sitting room. After that, we'll hit what appears to be a library. We'll work back to the staircase via the north hall where we'll find the elusive office...that will very likely be left for tomorrow.
Again, if things get crazy, I'm sure I don't have to hit every room, but so far, all 11 are in good shape.
Leaving the staircase for the storage room almost directly in front of us, we find what you might expect. Spare linen, firewood, miscellaneous supplies. We look for something useful in here. D20+INT+Investigator.
The Professor (7), Thudak (3), Faris (6), and Wolfrik (4) didn't find anything useful, but the rest found a health potion inside a medical kit on the back wall. Astrid, of note, used her lucky ability to succeed.
They follow the north hallway to the west into the bedrooms. Children and what appears to be Lady Whitmoore are sleeping. No need to search here and potentially wake someone. We head south to the south hallway and turn into the trophy room.
Lord Whitmoore must be an enthusiastic hobby hunter. Several trophy animals are mounted in here. There's a large treasure box in the center of the room. Some of our adventurers picked up a copper key yesterday. They would obviously try it here, but it doesn't work. They'll all try to pick the lock. D20+DEX+Locksmith.
The only ones to successfully pick this lock are Syntax (after using his tinkerer ability for a +1, 17) and Mori'an (18). They're rewarded well for their effort. They gain 5g, a Dragon Fire drink, and a Combat Tonic.
Heading east down the south hall and into the sitting room on the second floor. Large comfortable chairs face the large windows in this corner of the manor which allows you to take in the view...at this time of night it's just the beautiful full moon. The family dog was resting in this room and jumped down from it's chair and growls at you. We'll attempt to calm the dog. D20+WIS+Animal Tamer.
Sir Gareth (13), Tsavani (15), Thudak (12), Lyric (15), Faris (17), and Wolrik (20) all succeed. They slowly walk back out of the room and Bruno goes back to it's rest. The rest tried this as well, but the dog got a bit in before they were able to shut the door. They suffer a loss of 1 HP.
North we head into the library. It's an immense private collection. Wall to wall shelves that are full of books. Probably something of value in here. D20+INT+Student.
Sir Gareth (2), The Professor (5), Tsavani (1), Lyric (5), Faris (2), and Astrid (-1) all fail to find anything. Astrid can only use that lucky ability once per page, and I clearly chose poorly. I'd given that some thought, but didn't think I'd roll a 1 on the d20 again that quickly.
Zilmora (14) found a valuable book, worth 10g, sitting in a glass case. She'll take that with her. Syntax (15), Mori'an (23), Thudak (20), and Wolfrik (15) all found the book, but also found a hidden safe in a bookshelf. It wasn't even locked...but inside they only found 2g. 2 more gold than what they walked in with, I suppose.
They exit out of the library and head to the north hall and to what appears to be the very elusive office.
Saturday/Sunday, Feb 26/27
I find Lord Whitmoore's office and study. There are scrolls and paper everywhere. This room must hold what I'm looking for.
Search the room to find what I need to complete the mission. D20+INT+Investigator. Reminder of what our mission was from the start...Mori'an and Thudak were the only ones sent out to rig the Tournament.
Sir Gareth (14), The Professor (18), Syntax (16), Faris (17), and Zilmora (18) all found the evidence, a ledger of bribes and letter correspondence that the Tournament is rigged. They took the evidence with them.
Tsavani (8), Lyric (5), Wolfrik (7), and Astrid (1) found no evidence of rigging. Perhaps they were set up so they would miss the Tournament or to get caught. Astrid was particularly unlucky. A roll of 1 was tried again with her Lucky ability and she got a 1. Again.
As for Mori'an and Thudak, they had different responses as well. Mori'an (4) wasn't able to determine if he could even rig the Tournament. The people that sent him here must have wanted to get him out of the Tournament or caught.
Thudak (14) found that Lord Whitmoore was taking bribes to influence the winner of the Tournament of Lords. Those that pay the most are automatically qualified for a spot in the final Tournament rounds. He found a ledger of the bribes. Some of the entries were made today. He spends a little time doctoring the ledger to appear as though he was a top contributor.
Monday, Feb 28
I find a locked chest nestled away and partially hidden behind a stack of books. It is heavy and difficult to move. I wager it holds some nice treasure so I'm determined to open it.
A) If I have the copper key, it unlocks this chest.
B) Pick the lock. D20+DEX+Locksmith
or
C) Smack the lock. Roll damage.
The Professor, Tsavani, Syntax, Lyric, Wolfrik, and Astrid all had the key. A perfect fit. The chest opens with a click.
None of the remaining group have a negative modifier to trying to pick the lock, so they'll all try it. Thudak (22) and Zilmora (27, used spell Quicken) pick the lock, but Mori'an (7) and Faris (4) managed to hurt themselves in the process, losing 1HP. Sir Gareth (11) wasn't able to pick the lock, but didn't injure himself, either.
Let the smashing of locks begin.
Sir Gareth used Divine Smite to assist in smashing this lock, but lost 1HP.
Mori'an cast Drain Life for additional damage, and somehow gains 2HP in the process. He smashes the lock, but still loses 1HP (+1 overall).
Faris took two shots at but broke it, losing 1HP.
We get to see what's in the treasure chest tomorrow.
Pick 1 treasure item to take. The only note really beyond that is I can't equip two of the same item...that's more for future reference since equipment hasn't really been an option to date.
The choices are:
Champion Shield: +1 DEX, +1 DEF
Necklace of Luck: +1 DEX, +1 ATK
Belt of the Champ: +1 DEX, +1 HP
So far, I've seen 1 point of defense having a big difference in damage that has been dealt to the characters, so I'm thinking the 4 lowest in defense will likely take the shield.
From there I'm thinking the next four lowest HP will take the Belt.
The next and last 3, which is probably going to include Thudak (I believe without looking he has the lowest natural attack value), will take the necklace.
I'll divide that up for certain later today.
Also, in case you're interested, Sundial Games is running a kickstarter that started today for the next calendar.
I'm 90% certain I'm going to go in for the 2nd highest tier. I didn't know the pricing plans previously, but the top tier is $300. On top of all the bells and whistles you get to make a "holiday" of sorts on the calendar. I was hoping to add a "Poli Rules Day" for my birthday.
The choices were made...but Thudak could have easily used the Champion Shield.
Champion Shield: The Professor, Tsavani, Faris, Wolfrik. Faris and Wolfrik made the least sense here...but they're abilities in these three areas are fairly good already.
Belt of the Champ: Sir Gareth, Syntax, Lyric, and Astrid.
Necklace of Luck: Thudak, Mori'an, and Zilmora. I ended up choosing these 3 first, because they had the lowest ratings overall and made it fairly easy to choose.
Wednesday, March 2
I hear a clamoring of items. I don't believe I knocked anything over to make a noise like that. I turn to look at the ruckus and discover various items in the room are taking the shape of a beast. I must have triggered a magical alarm and activated a security feature of the manor.
3 rounds of battle here.
D20+Dex, D20+ATK, Damage
Sir Gareth: Got plunked by books being thrown at him, but he managed to put this magical golem down. He gained 2g, but lost 1HP in the process.
The Professor: Got hit by the books and hit on the side by a fist of brick. He cast Leaf on the Wind to lower the damage. In the end the golem fell apart...the magical defense wasn't made to last that long. He gained 1g, but lost 2HP.
Tsavani: Killed the golem, but not before getting jabbed with a fireplace poker. She used Evasion to lower the damage. 2g, -2HP.
Syntax: Hit by the books, but killed the golem, however, it spent 10g in abilities to make it happen. If it hadn't done so, it looked to have missed on all three rounds and would have suffered 7 damage. Money well spent, IMO. He loses 8g overall and just 1 HP instead.
Mori'an: Cast Bone Shield for defense, he was hit by the poker and the brick...the golem falling apart in the end. 1g, -3HP.
Thudak: Went into Rage to start the fight and eventually used a combat tonic to ensure hits. He was hit by the books, but killed the golem. 2g, -2HP.
Lyric: The man with musical skills tossed an insult at the golem as he managed to be the only one of the eleven to score blows on each round. 3g for you, sir. Well done.
Faris: Using precise aim, she got a hit on the first round, but hits by the poker and the brick made her feel it. 1g, -3HP.
Wolfrik: a divine strike helped land one hit, and he got the kill despite getting hit by the poker. 2g, -2HP.
Zilmora: Casting Arcane Armor was very important here. She missed each time and got pummeled. Instead of losing 9, she only loses 4HP.
Astrid: Our gnome thief got lucky again, and managed to score two hits on the golem before it fell apart. 2g, -1HP.
An overall very bloody day. The Professor has 7/14 HP. A few others are slightly better than 50% right now. If any drop below that threshold, we'll start popping potions and spells to help.
All of the noise from fighting the golem has alerted the guards. They come rushing up the stairs and to the study. I try to leave the house ahead of them. They chase after me.
Dodge and avoid the guards to stay ahead of them as they chase me. D20+CON+Athlete+Danger Sense
Syntax (4), Faris (5), and Zilmora (-3) are hit from behind. One guard tackles them and they both fall through a table. They're able to fight the guards off as they escape, but suffer 3 damage.
Mori'an (6) is hit from behind but avoids getting tackled and ultimately going through the table. It's not much prettier, but he only suffers 2 damage.
Tsavani (14), Thudak (14), Lyric (15), and Astrid (14) dodge and weave. They take a few blows as they escape but still suffer 1 damage.
Sir Gareth (20), The Professor (18), and Wolfrik (20) avoid almost all contact as they zip back through the house, down the stairs and out the door. No damage, no sweat. No problem.
The hits today took 3 of our adventurers under 50%hp, so we're forced to take action.
Syntax took a potion and recovered 4hp.
Faris used Nature's healing and recovered 4hp.
Zilmora used a potion and recovered 3hp.
Friday, March 4
I return to the city of Graycliff in time for the Tournament of Lords (and apparently the stamp on my wrist got me back through the gates free of charge). I missed the opening ceremonies that took place but I do get to enjoy smaller groups of performers on the fairgrounds.
1. Do I toss a coin to the performers?
2. Optional, I can try to take a nap under a tree for rest. D20+WIS
We are generally all around good adventurers. I treat the coin toss as I did for the beggar. Mori'an and Thudak pass on it.
Taking a nap? Roll against wisdom. Sounds like a trappish like moment. I review the characters. Those around the 50% threshold for HP take the risk and a nap. We'll hope the others are ready for the tournament as is. Taking the nap: The Professor, Syntax, Mori'an, Faris, Wolfrik, and Zilmora.
Tossing the coin was the smart thing to do here, and it had nothing to do with virtue. Thudak and Mori'an observe one of the performers is visibly frustrated that someone has stopped to watch but didn't bother to contribute. After some time, they each feel a tug at their coin purse. Mori'an (8) looks down to find he's 3g short. Thudak (16) reacted quickly, though, and didn't lose anything in the process.
Taking a nap turned out to be a gamble as well. The Professor (22) and Faris (13) managed to find quiet places away from the grounds of the festival. A short nap later they feel completely refreshed.
Syntax (4), Mori'an (8), Wolfrik (4), and Zilmora (6) were each robbed while they took their nap. In Wolrik's case, it was all the gold he had left. Syntax, Mori'an, and Zilmora each lost 4g. In Mori'an's case, he stood to lose more, but used a blood ritual to sacrifice 1HP to improve his wisdom roll. They each got that rest, but it was expensive...and in Mori'an's case, he's down 1HP out the gate already.
I'll share updated HP and gold positions later today hopefully.
One other note I forgot to add: Astrid found a target in the crowd. Her pickpocket helped get back the gold she passed on to the performers.
Current Health and gold status:
Sir Gareth 11/14 HP, 12g
The Professor 14/14, 8g
Tsavani 10/15, 18g
Syntax 15/15, 16g
Mori'an 15/16, 11g
Thudak 13/18, 20g
Lyric 13/14, 18g
Faris 14/14, 13g
Wolfrik 16/16, 0g
Zilmora 13/13, 4g
Astrid 9/13, 19g
I meet the gentlemen who sent me to Lord Whitmoore's manor. I will have a few words with them before collecting the reward I'm owed.
The result here depends on if the adventurer found or didn't find evidence, rigged or failed to rig the tournament.
For Sir Gareth, the Professor, Syntax, Faris, and Zilmora (all who found evidence the Tournament was rigged):
"Wow! We are impressed! Thank you for exposing this crime. We will take this evidence to the authorities. Once Lord Whitmoore is removed from office, the honor of the Tournament of Lords will once again be restored. Here is your gold. You have earned it."
Each of them get 10g for their efforts.
For Tsavani, Lyric, Wolfrik, and Astrid, all who did not find evidence:
"You are truly a naïve and gullible one, aren't you? Truth is, we asked several contestants to do this. You're the only one to accept it for such a noble cause and you're the only one to return back. You helped thin out our betting pool and proved you have what it takes to win this thing. Here's your gold. You've earned it."
Each of them gains 10g.
For Mori'an, who failed to rig the Tournament:
"Well, we're not surprised. We really didn't think you could do it. We were just testing you. We sent several contestants out to rig this tournament and we really didn't know who to place our bets on, but we do now. You're the only one with the guts to take on this mission and return. Congratulations. Here is your gold. You've earned it."
He adds 10g.
For Thudak, who did actually rig the Tournament:
"Way to go! I knew we chose the right person for this. Here is your gold. You've earned it."
Tudak gains 10g, but also gains 2 Tournament Points (to help achieve victory in the tournament).
So, being a bad guy appears to pay off.
Also, everyone could have afforded to take that rest. I'm only slightly concerned about Tsavani and Astrid at the moment.
Astrid took another 1g off of them as they walked away. Atta girl.
Monday, March 7
Apologies for the delay here. I hit the airport first thing yesterday morning. I completed the calendar task at the airport but I ran into problems here in California and didn't get around to posting the results.
The first event of the Tournament of Lords is archery. It is rather laid-back and less of spectacle since so many have signed up. This is a task meant to weed out a good chunk of the competition. To qualify for the next round, I have to meet some minimum criteria. I see many people walk away disappointed.
Take aim and let arrows fly. D20+DEX three times.
A min score of 40 is needed. In the event any of our adventurers don't get 40 in the first three tries, they can pay 1 gold to the official to get another shot.
7 of the 11 nail this without losing gold. I'll list them by the scores.
Wolfrik 59
Mori'an 54
Thudak 52
Lyric 49
Syntax 43
Zilmora 42
Astrid 41
Zilmora could have blown the doors off the competition using the spell quicken, but it wasn't necessary. What was necessary was Astrid and her luck. She got a 1 on the last roll, only to bounce back with a modified 6...just enough to clear the threshold.
Tsavani (52) and Sir Gareth (49) barely missed on the first three shots. The fourth secured it. Faris was way behind the mark but nailed the final shot as well (42) to be clear the minimum.
The Professor needed two shots as he got off to a terrible start (2, 5) and finally made it through.
Tuesday, March 8
The next event I must compete in to qualify for the finals is armored combat. Many back down due the risk of injury or death. I only need one victory to move on. I step into the ring to face my opponent. She has a stern look of determination on her face. She will not go easy on me or give up.
Engage in combat.
Sounds like combat will run differently today.
For today, combat will still require a good attack (d20+attack). A hit roll with damage after. Damage will continue to add per round until a total of 15 is dealt.
For defense, this is the odd thing, I'll roll d20 against the adventurer's defense. If the roll is lower than the defense, no damage is taken. If it's higher, they'll take d4 damage.
This battle was quick and easy for Sir Gareth (3 rounds total, no damage), Tsavani (3 rounds, used Death Touch), Mori'an (2 rounds), and Lyric (2 rounds with an insult to boot).
Zilmora took no damage, but only thanks to casting Arcane Armor. It took her 7 rounds to get past the warrior.
Thudak (-2HP), Faris (-2HP), Wolfrik (-3HP), Astrid (-4HP), and the Professor (-5HP) all took lumps but moved on.
The big loser here, though, was Syntax. Everyone's favorite robot could not land hits on the warrior. He took 9 damage before finally using his flamethrower skill to knock out the final 3 points of damage.
Syntax loses 3 gold as a result. He uses a health potion to recover 4HP. Astrid took a potion as well to recover 5.
This battle did see the reappearance of Faris's weasel...who popped out to help Faris land a blow.
Wednesday, March 9
The next event of the qualifying rounds of the Tournament garners many more spectators. Everyone enjoys a jousting competition.
Many who win this day but go no further will often become famous and recognized in their home towns. The skill to joust is perceived as a high honor in these lands.
I am to
1) Lance my enemy to knock them off their horse. D20+STR+Athlete.
Then
2) Avoid getting hit and stay on my horse. D20+DEX+Animal Tamer
Then
3) Endure many rounds of the joust. D20+CON+Athlete
1) The chance to lance (I know, I know) goes reasonably well. Zilmora (6) and Mori'an (3) are the only ways to fail miserably. They missed the target and get struck hard. -2HP.
The Professor (16), Wolfrik (21), and Astrid (17) get direct hits into their opponent's chest. The jouster is thrown off the horse. The crowd explodes in cheers and applause.
Sir Gareth (13), Tsavani (11), Syntax (8), Thudak (9, he was the favorite going into this with a +5 modifier), Lyric (12), and Faris (12) all scored hits but the resulting vibration stings to the core. The crowd cheers, but they'll never know the pain they are in. -1HP.
2) Avoid getting hit in this round. Sir Gareth (5), The Professor (3), and Faris (6) all got knocked off their horse and lose this round. -2HP.
Tsavani (25, the favorite with a +6 modifier), Thudak (21), Lyric (23), Wolfrik (22), Zilmora (21), and Astrid (21) all block the enemy's lance with their shield. They ride strong to the end.
Syntax (8) and Mori'an (14) got hit but managed to stay on to the horse. -1HP.
Without a doubt a good round for most.
3) Endure many rounds of jousting. The Professor (0), Thudak (7), and Zilmora (6) grow tired from the many rounds while wearing the heavy armor in the hot sun. It takes a toll. -2HP.
Sir Gareth (14) fares a bit better, but still struggles. -1HP.
Tsavani (21), Syntax (17), Mori'an (21), Lyric (16), Faris (17), Wolfrik (22), and Astrid (20) all pace themselves through the day. They never wear down.
Another great round.
My record keeping might be off, but in terms of today it appears Wolfrik and Astrid were damage free and the big winners. Both had modifiers that helped in one or all areas, but their rolls came in such a way it wasn't needed.
Wolfrik no damage taken
Astrid no damage taken
Tsavani -1HP
Lyric -1HP
Syntax -2HP
Mori'an -3HP
Thudak -3HP
Faris -3HP
Sir Gareth -4HP
The Professor -4HP
Zilmora -4HP
Sir Gareth recovers 6hp with a potion.
Professor recovers 4hp with a potion.
Thudak recovers 5hp with a potion.
Characters are running out of potions, so this Tournament may eventually weed one or two of them out.
I got tied up with flying home. I'll post yesterday's action and today's action shortly.
Thursday, March 10
The final qualifying round is a magic challenge. Many come to spectate this event. Kids enjoy seeing rare magic. Adults gauge their betting chances for the rest of the Tournament. I stand on the field ready to blast targets with fireballs, transform animals, levitate objects, and anything else asked for.
1) Choose the right spells for the task. D20+INT+Student
2) Channel arcane energy for each spell. D20+WIS+Arcane Adept
3) Put on a good show for the crowd. D20+CHA
Choose the right spells. For The Professor (7) and Mori'an (5), perhaps they were just nervous. Instead of transforming a chicken, they hit it with a fireball. This close range action ends up hurting them as well. -2HP.
Sir Gareth (9), Tsavani (13), Syntax (9), Zilmora (9), and Astrid (11) had a task to destroy dummy targets. They instead levitated them. Realizing the mistake, they sent the targets high into the air so they'd crash back down and be destroyed. A great adjustment, but one that ends up costing them 1HP as they're hit with some of the debris as it shot out.
Thudak (17), Lyric (17), Faris (16), and Wolfrik (16) exhibited perfect control and magical knowledge during this challenge. No issues at all.
Channel arcane energy. Sir Gareth (5), Mori'an (4), and Lyric (1) had spells backfired. The uncontrolled energy damaged them instead of being controlled. -2HP.
The Professor (10), Tsavani (12), Faris (10), Wolfrik (12), and Astrid (12) struggled to maintain concentration. Eventually they're mentally fatigued and get small dose of the energy backfeeding into themselves. -1HP.
Syntax (17), Thudak (16), and Zilmora (16) have a perfect balance of concentration and skill. No issues.
Put on a good show. Zilmora and Syntax provide impressive performances. Adding the right amount of flair and drama to work up the crowd. The judges clearly enjoyed the show.
Tsavani, Mori'an, and Wolfrik gave an entertaining show, but a bit more color and spark would have really pleased the audience.
The rest just didn't really impress. They accomplished the tasks, perhaps with a mistake or two along the way, but nothing to write home about.
They all move on to the next round, but Tsavani and Mori'an each take a health potion to recover 5HP.
Friday, March 11
The final events of the Tournament of Lords have begun. The first is a hectic free for all combat. I and the other contestants are pitted against each other in the colosseum.
Of note, I'll be up against a fighter, a champion, and a FLIPPING TIGER.
Combat tonics, aimed to help provide a boost for hitting the opponent, were consumed (and needed) by The Professor and Tsavani. Astrid used a Dragon Fire potion to ensure damage. Sir Gareth depleted his spell points ensuring hits and damage were enough. Faris used her precise aim. Syntax used 10 of his 23g to ensure victory as well. I went all out to ensure victory here because each kill represented a tournament point.
The results were fantastic. Sir Gareth, Tsavani, Syntax, Mori'an, Lyric, Zilmora, and Astrid all killed their opponents and gained 3 tournament points.
The Professor, Faris, and Wolfrik each managed 2 kills and two tournament points. Faris and Wolfrik each took a point of damage as well.
Thudak, who rigged the tournament before it started and had 3 tournament points to start, had the worst day. 4 points of damage taken, 1 kill. Fortunate for him, the tiger had finished the other two off before Thudak took it out. Thudak is even with the others at 3 tournament points now.
Faris, as a result of the damage, went ahead and took a health potion and received 3HP.
Saturday/Sunday, March 12/13
I mount a chariot with the other contestants and begin racing around the arena. This is as much for show as it is to eliminate more contestants. The chariots are moving fast while spears fly through the air to try and cut down competitors.
1) Pull ahead in the race. D20+WIS+Animal Trainer
2) Avoid the hazards that could take me out. D20+DEX
The Professor (17), Mori'an (19), Lyric (22), and Wolfrik (18) all pull ahead in the race. Impressive speed and excellent maneuvering through the crowd. While they gain 2 tournament points, they're now targets and suffer -2 to the next roll.
Sir Gareth (8), Syntax (8), Faris (11), Zilmora (11), and Astrid (13) all maintain their position in the middle of the pack. They gain a tournament point. Syntax used tinkerer to pull into this position.
Tsavani (7) and Thudak (3) got slowed down by the crowd and couldn't catch up. No tournament point for them, but they gain 2 to the next roll since they're not a target bringing up the rear.
Tsavani (17), Syntax (15), Mori'an (20), Thudak (23), Zilmora (22), and Astrid (19) all survive the demolition derby, so to speak. Making it to the end, they gain 1 tournament point. Syntax again used tinkerer to make it here...Syntax is down to 5g. Zilmora cast Quicken to get out of Dodge and away from everyone else.
Sir Gareth (9) and Faris (9) were knocked out by a combatant and lose 2HP.
The Professor (2), Lyric (3), and Wolfrik (7) all had their chariots flipped over and lose 3HP.
My unofficial tracker has the current tournament points:
Mori'an 6
Syntax 5
Lyric 5
Zilmora 5
Astrid 5
Sir Gareth 4
The Professor 4
Tsavani 4
Thudak 4
Wolfrik 4
Faris 3
Lyric used a potion to recover 4hp.
Wolfrik used a potion to recover 8hp.
Monday, March 14
The final contestants and I are pitted against a great surprise. As I catch my breath and await the final battle, the colosseum rumbles. The crowd goes silent. Then a deafening roar erupts from the tunnel as a gigantic cyclops lumbers into the arena.
Four rounds of combat. Let's go.
Zilmora was flawless today. Well timed attacks, enough damage to stun and survive. She provided the finishing blow to the cyclops and gained 5 tournament points. She was the the only adventurer to do so.
Tsavani and Astrid were just a tick behind Z. They both lost 1HP during the battle while also landing that finishing blow. They each gained 4 points.
Sir Gareth, Syntax, and Faris all killed the cyclops as well, but took more damage (-3, -3, and -2). They gained 3 points. Syntax spent 4g to make this happen. Faris used Nature's Healing after the battle and gained back 3HP.
The Professor, Mori'an, Lyric, and Wolfrik landed hits on the cyclops, but none of them actually killed it. That reward went to another competitor. 2 points each. The Professor lost 3hp. Mori'an (thanks to the bone shield spell), Lyric, and Wolfrik each lost 2hp.
Which leaves Thudak.
Thudak went on the attack early but missed. He was hit by a boulder and lost 2hp. He landed his next blow and stunned the cyclops briefly. The cyclops recovered quickly to avoid Thudak's next swing. It then smashed Thudak with it's mace and Thudak was suddenly down to 3hp. Thudak has one more shot to hit the cyclops. It's either the cyclops or Thudak. Thudak swings. Misses. The cyclops does not miss. It pulls Thudak apart as the battle ends.
RIP, Thudak. I guess cheaters don't win.
Zilmora 10
Astrid 9
Mori'an 8
Syntax 8
Tsavani 8
Lyric 7
Sir Gareth 7
The Professor 6
Wolfrik 6
Faris 6
Thudak 5 (RIP)
Tuesday, March 15
Level Up
I've gained enough experience to increase my hero's level. Take a Rest as well.
Sorry, Thudak. You were one HP from making it.
All heroes will move to level 3. I will be able to spend two points improving their traits. I'll try and provide character updates for the 10 after the rest/traits are adjusted. Each character will have a few new things about them as well.
Sir Gareth Stalworth. I decided to improve each character's best and worst trait. +1 to STR and INT for Gareth. Divine grace granting a reroll is a big deal.
Sir Gareth Stalworth
Level 3
Str +3
Dex 0 (+1)
Con +1
Int 0
Wis 0
Cha 0
Virtue +3
Gold 21
HP 17/17 (18/18 with Belt of Champ)
Atk +4
Def 15
Dmg 2D6
Abilities
Intimidating, +2 to threaten and intimidate.
Athlete, +2 to overcome physical and athletic hurdles.
Survivalist, +2 to survive while traveling.
Investigator, +2 to rolls to search and investigate.
Persuasive, +2 to rolls to persuade or convince.
Divine Grace: Once/page: reroll any die roll and take the new result.
Spell Points: 6
Spells: Divine Strike (1SP add current virtue to all attack rolls this page), Smite (1SP add current virtue to all damage rolls this page), Healing Light (1SP restore health by amount of current virtue).
Equipment and Loot:
Antidote
Health Potion (2D4)
Ration
Aged Wine (D6 Charisma for page)
Belt of the Champ (+1HP, +1 DEX
The Professor got an improvement to Wisdom and Constitution. He gets a reroll ability as well, but it will cost him a spell point.
Professor Trynnicus Wyvern
Level 3
Str 0
Dex 0 (+1)
Con 0
Int +2
Wis +3
Cha -1
Virtue +3
Gold 16
HP 18/18
Atk +4
Def 14 (+1)
Dmg 2D8
Abilities
Arcane Adept, +2 to handle or deal with magic.
Investigator, +2 to search or investigate.
Student, +2 to recall history or knowledge.
Firestorm, Once/page, D6 to a single damage roll
Lightning, Once/page, D6 to a single attack roll
Spell Points: 6
Spells: Stone Skin (1SP to reduce 4 points damage to 0, per page), Leaf on the Wind (1SP to gain +2 def/page), Channel Elements (1SP to reroll a die roll and take the new result).
Equipment and Loot:
1 ration
1 antidote
1 Dragon Fire (D4 damage for page)
Champion Shield, +1 DEF, +1 DEX
Tsavani increased her Dexterity to +4 (+5 overall) and her Charisma to -1.
Tsavani Moonchaser
Level 3
Str 0
Dex +4 (+5)
Con 0
Int 0
Wis +1
Cha -1
Virtue +3
Gold 27
HP 19/19
Atk +4
Def 14
Dmg 2D6
Abilities
Animal Tamer, +2 to train or handle animals
Danger Sense, +2 to avoid traps or surprises
Stealthy, +2 to sneak or remain hidden
Athlete, +2 to overcome physical and athletic hurdles
Death Touch, Once/page, add d6 to a single damage roll
Fierce Strike, Once/page, add d6 to a single attack roll
Chi Points: 4
Chi: Harmony, 1 Chi to remove poison or cursed condition
Chi: Evasion, 1 Chi to gain +4 defense this page.
Chi: Tranquility, 1 Chi to ignore all effects of Restrained, Weakened, Frightened, and Confused for the page.
Equipment and Loot:
1 health potion (2d4 HP)
1 Dragon Fire (D4 damage for page)
Utensils (10g)
Aged Wine (d6 Charisma for page)
Champion Shield, +1 DEF, +1 DEX
Syntax increases Intelligence to +3 and Wisdom to -1. He gains the elixir ability to essentially regenerate health from gold spent. Love this bot. Tool Expert...I passed on these tools previously, but I'll have to pick them up next time.
Syntax 12B047-2
Level 3
Str +1
Dex +1 (+2)
Con +1
Int +3
Wis -1
Cha -1
Virtue +2
Gold 5
HP 19/19 (20 with Belt)
Atk +4
Def 14
Dmg 2D6
Abilities
Locksmith, +2 to pick a lock.
Student, +2 to recall history or knowledge.
Investigator, +2 to search or investigate.
Tool Expert, Lockpick Tools and Map & Compass give an additional +3 bonus.
Artillerist (1 gold, add 1 to attack roll)
Tinkerer (1 gold, add 1 to any D20 roll on traits (ex: Str)
Flamethrower (1 gold, add 1 to a damage roll)
Armorer (2 gold, add 1 def for this page)
Elixir (1 gold, add 1 HP, up to max HP)
Equipment and Loot:
1 antidote
Utensils (10g)
Book (10g)
Belt of the Champ
Mori'an is my new default bad guy since Thudak is gone. He'll take the road less traveled. We'll try and keep Syntax more neutral as well. He adds 1 to Intelligence and Charisma. He adds a new spell of blindness, which essentially guarantees a stealth win.
Mori'an Corvus
Level 3
Str 0
Dex +1 (+2)
Con +2
Int +3
Wis -1
Cha -1
Virtue 0
Gold 12
HP 21/21
Atk +3 (+4)
Def 13
Dmg 2D10
Abilities
Arcane Adept, +2 to handle or deal with magic
Student, +2 recall history or knowledge
Leach Life, Kill an enemy and regain 1HP, up to max.
Blood Ritual, Once/page, reduce HP by 1 gain +2 on a roll.
Spell Points: 5
Spells: Bone Shield (1SP +2 def this page), Frighten (1SP, Add 20 to an intimidation roll), Drain Life (1SP, Additional D6 in damage. Gain that same amount in HP, up to the max), Blindness (1 SP, Add 20 to stealth roll).
Equipment and Loot:
1 aged wine (d6 cha for page)
1 antidote
1 health potion (2d4 HP)
book (10g)
Necklace of Luck
Lyric, the infamous bard, will gain a point to Strength and Charisma. He gains the pickpocket ability...while this can ruin his virtue, I'm glad to have a second pickpocket. It's a fun mechanic. Full disclosure, his level 2 stats earlier were wrong. Not sure how I got them wrong, but I can confirm these are correct.
Lyric Stringwood
Level 3
Str 0
Dex +2 (+3)
Con -1
Int 0
Wis 0
Cha +3
Virtue +3
Gold 28
HP 17/17 (18)
Atk +5
Def 14
Dmg D12
Abilities
Persuasive, +2 to persuade or convince
Athlete, +2 to overcome physical and athletic hurdles
Animal Tamer, +2 to train or handle animals
Charm, Once/rest, Add 15 to charisma roll.
Pickpocket, Gain d4 in gold. On a 4, lose 1 virtue.
Insult, once/page add D6 to any damage roll.
Sleepy Melody, Once/page, add D4 to any attack roll.
Dazzle, once per rest, add +2 def for the page.
Healing Melody, Once/rest, Restore D6 in HP.
Equipment and Loot:
1 Antidote
1 Aged Wine (d6 CHA for page)
1 Potion (2D4 HP)
1 Utensils (10g)
Belt of the Champ
Faris gains Wisdom and Intelligence here. She gets a pet eagle as well. That sounds awesome. Hope we use it often.
Faris Leafwind
Level 3
Str 0
Dex +2 (+3)
Con 0
Int -1
Wis +3
Cha 0
Virtue +3
Gold 22
HP 17/17
Atk +4
Def 16, (17)
Dmg 2D6
Abilities
Survivalist, +2 to survive while traveling
Animal Tamer, +2 to train or handle animals
Danger Sense, +2 to avoid traps and surprises
Athlete, +2 to physical and athletic hurdles
Nature's Healing, Once per rest, restore D4 health up to max
Animal: Weasel, Once/page, gain +2 to a single attack roll.
Precise Aim, Once per rest, Add +10 to one attack roll and +d4 to the damage roll
Animal: Eagle, Once/page, gain +2 to a single damage roll.
Equipment and Loot:
Antidote
Champion Shield
Wolfrik gains strength and charisma. His cool new toy is a prayer for Favor, which allows him to add 4 to any roll.
Wolfrik Grayhand
Level 3
Str +3
Dex +1 (+2)
Con 0
Int 0
Wis 0
Cha 0
Virtue +3
Gold 10
HP 21/21
Atk +4
Def 15 (16)
Dmg 2D8
Abilities
Intimidating, +2 to threaten or intimidate
Athlete, +2 to overcome physical and athletic hurdles
Survivalist, +2 to survive while traveling
Divine Smite, Once/page, add d4 to a single damage roll
Healing Prayer, Once/rest, restore d4 Health
Holy Strike, Once/page, add d4 to a single attack roll
Pray for Favor, 2x per rest, add 4 to any die roll
Equipment and Loot:
Antidote
Ration
Aged Wine (d6 CHA for page)
Book 10g
Champion Shield
Zilmora, the ELF CHAMP (since killing that Cyclops anyhow lol), gains 1 to Wisdom (honestly, your name includes Wise, shouldn't that have been higher?) and to Constitution. Two more spells designed to help her win almost any roll she absolutely needs.
Zilmora the Wise
Level 3
Str 0
Dex 0 (+1)
Con -1
Int +2
Wis +3
Cha 0
Virtue +3
Gold 14
HP 16/16
Atk +4 (+5)
Def 14
Dmg 2D10
Abilities
Arcane Adept, +2 to handle and deal with magic
Investigator, +2 to search and investigate
Student, +2 to recall history or knowledge
Illusion, Once/page add D4 to an attack roll
Force Bolt, once/page add d4 to a damage roll
SP: 6 SP
Spell: Arcane Armor, 1SP gain +6 defense this page
Spell: Quicken, 1SP gain 15 to all Dex rolls this page
Spell: Enchant, 1SP gain 15 to all CHA rolls this page
Spell: Divination, 1SP gain 15 to all WIS and INT rolls this page
Equipment and Loot:
Health Potion (2D4 HP)
Antidote
Aged Wine (d6 CHA for page)
Utensils (10g)
Book (10g)
Necklace of Luck
Astrid improves Wisdom and Dexterity. Overall, not a lot to be excited about except general improvements.
Astrid Swiftblade
Level 3
Str -1
Dex +4 (+5)
Con 0
Int 0
Wis -1
Cha +2
Virtue +1
Gold 30
HP 16/16 (17)
Atk +4
Def 15
Dmg 2D6
Abilities
Stealthy, +2 to sneak and remain hidden
Persuasive, +2 to persuade or convince
Lucky, once/page, if you roll a 1 on a D20, reroll and take the new result
Pickpocket, Once/page when encountering a non enemy character, gain d4 in gold. If d4 is 4, lose 1 in Virtue.
Dodge, Once/page take 1/2 damage from a single source, round up
Locksmith, +2 to pick a lock
Sneak Attack, Once/page, add d4 to a single attack roll.
Athlete, +2 to rolls to overcome physical and athletic hurdles.
Poison Dagger, once/page, add d4 to a single damage roll
Equipment and Loot:
antidote
health potion (2d4 HP)
Aged wine (d6 CHA for page)
Combat tonic (d4 attack for page)
Belt of the Champion
Wednesday, March 16
The people cheer as victory ceremonies have begun. The festival has come to a close and everyone has shown up today to view the winner of the Tournament of Lords. There is music in the air and happy faces everywhere.
Zilmora, Astrid, Mori'an, Syntax, and Tsavani are all crowned champion! The crowd cheers and shouts their name. People bow as they walk by. Kids ask for their autograph. They have people ask to serve under them. Their title comes with a monetary award of 20g. They're told they will meet with the King's Council later to discuss land and duties.
The others (Lyric, Sir Gareth, The Professor, Wolfrik, and Faris) celebrate a near victory. A close finish, but they were just behind the combatant that was crowned the champion. Getting to this position is still a big deal. They have pride in their achievement but also disappointment for being unable to be crowned the champion. They're sure to be the prime choice for next year's tournament. They earn 15 gold.
It should be noted, that had Thudak somehow won that final battle, he'd have still finished in a near victory position. He had a poor tournament overall, even with the tournament rigged in his favor.
There were three other scenarios we didn't visit as the result of the tournament.
0-3 tournament points would have net 5 gold as an able participant.
4-5 would have made them an honorable contender and 10 gold.
Perfection (11+) was possible without rigging, but required a clean sweep of all the activities. Zilmora was close at 10, but not finishing at the front of the pack in the chariot race cost her. A perfect tournament would lead to rumors that the Tournament was rigged or that there was a cheating scandal. The reward would have been 25 gold.
Thursday, March 17
A loud bang, like an explosion of a thousand blacksmith hammers, is heard from above. The sky quickly grows dark and everyone looks up. A shockwave whips across the crowds with many being knocked down. The clouds begin to swirl and a loud wailing can be heard as I watch tiny objects fall from above. As they get closer to the ground, I can tell some of these objects are large stones...and others appear to be people??!!
1) Endure the shockwave. D20+CON+Danger Sense
then
2) Avoid the falling debris. D20+DEX+Danger Sense
The unexpected shockwave that came from the sky isn't just knocking people down with physical force. As it cascades across the crowd, it is sapping the crowd's energy.
The Professor (2), Mori'an (7), Lyric (3), and Zilmora (0) all grow weak and light headed. They drop to the floor and hit their head on a rock. They lose 1HP and take a -2 penalty to the next roll.
Sir Gareth (14), Faris (11), and Astrid (13) all take a fall before no damage. They also get a -2 to the next roll.
Tsavani (17), Syntax (16), and Wolfrik (19) were able to brace themselves from falling over. They control their breathing until the moment passes (how does Syntax do that?).
Before the roll, each adventurer now has an option to try and save others over themselves. Choosing to do so gains 1 virtue but results in a -4 to the roll. I'm playing most of these with good virtue, so everyone but Mori'an and Syntax will choose to help others. Mori'an will be our default bad guy since Thudak dropped out. Syntax will now trend that way. Astrid and Lyric will always try for virtue points, but will always take a chance to pickpocket and potentially lose that virtue.
As stones and other objects begin falling from the sky, they race around to avoid them. The shockwave didn't help your reflexes, or those in the crowd around them.
The -2 and -4 penalties make this almost impossible for everyone. Sir Gareth (6), The Professor (-1), Tsavani (4), Syntax (5), Mori'an (5), Faris (0), and Wolfrik (7) get smashed by a large boulder and lose 4HP. In the case of Syntax and Mori'an, it would not have hurt to do the right thing. Edit, on further review, The Professor cast Stone Skin to avoid the 4 damage here.
Lyric (18), Zilmora (16, thanks to her Quicken spell), and Astrid (15) get pelted with smaller pebbles but manage to avoid major damage.
Friday, March 18
The debris stops falling and everyone comes out from what shelter they had found. Several screams are heard nearby. I search for the source of the noise and find a grotesque demon attacking a villager. It's attempting to take flight with him. I rush in to stop it.
3 rounds of combat. And here I thought I'd get a chance to buy stuff after the tournament before the insanity started.
Sir Gareth, The Professor, Tsavani, Syntax, and Faris win all three rounds against the demon. The demon dies and they're each awarded 4g for their efforts. Sir Gareth used Smite and Divine Strike to make it happen...Faris broke out the weasel (+2 attack for one round) to ensure one of the attacks hit as well. Syntax spent 2g to ensure a hit and enough damage to complete his battle...so it essentially got a net of 2g.
Zilmora scored a kill on the demon, but did take a point of damage. 3g for her.
Mori'an, Lyric, Wolfrik, and Astrid all failed to kill the demon despite landing at least winning one round. Mori'an gained 2g while losing 2HP. Lyric 1g, losing 3HP. Wolfrik 1g, -2HP. Astrid 2g, -1HP. In their case, the villager was saved but the demon took flight to escape.
Saturday/Sunday, March 19/20
I dispatched the flying demon but I hear more screaming and look around. It wasn't just debris falling from the sky. The festival grounds are overrun with demons terrorizing people.
I can
A) Intimidate the demons into targeting me instead. D20+Str+Intimidating
or
B) Try to escape while the demons are distracted. D20+Dex+Stealthy
or
C) Attack the demons.
Likely a virtue tied into the first two...I split the adventurers into the 3 options.
Wolfrik and Sir Gareth are the only intimidators left, so they naturally go into A.
Syntax and Mori'an are both going to trend to the negative virtue, so we'll send the to B. I'd like to get a 3rd into that group, and Astrid has the lowest virtue of those remaining. She goes B.
That's 5 for C...and none of them would get a bonus going A. I choose Lyric to go A.
Lyric's intimidation did not go well (9). The demons are focused on what they're doing to notice the bard. Lyric's a little peeved and gains +2 to attack in the next combat.
Sir Gareth (21) and Wolfrik (20) got their attention...and maybe they shouldn't have. They get -2 defense in the next combat.
All 3 gain a virtue point, as I suspected. I nearly sent everyone this route, but I want to explore all options when options are provided.
Syntax tries to slide away in the crowd, but it became a mark to a demon looking for easy prey. It gets -2 defense next combat.
Mori'an (18) and Astrid (23) were able to get away unnoticed. They gain +2 attack.
They all 3 lose a virtue point.
The Professor attacked a demon, but wasn't able to kill it. He suffered a loss of 1HP.
Tsavani, Faris, and Zilmora all killed the demon they attacked and gain +2 damage in the next combat.
Monday, March 21
I spot someone fighting the demons. Wearing a white robe with blue...lettering we'll call it, a gold sash, and skin that's almost...clear. Whoever he is, he's clearly an excellent warrior and knows their way around magic. His appearance, dress, and fighting style is unique and unlike anything I have ever seen. I am sure this person wasn't here earlier. I would have definitely noticed him at the Festival or Tournament. Whatever. He's fighting the demons. So am I.
Fight off 3 demons.
Yesterday's modifiers apply to all three battles with the demons...some are good, some are not so good. The good news is that everyone managed to kill at least one demon.
Sir Gareth cast two spells to ensure victory over all 3 demons. Faris and Zilmora are the only other ones to defeat all 3. They each gained 3g.
Syntax was the worst off. It misfired on two attacks and spent 1g to ensure at least one hit, one kill. It lost 4HP.
Wolfrik managed two kills, but lost 3HP. He gained 2g. Mori'an managed two kills as well, but thanks to his abilities ended up with losing just 2HP.
The rest (Professor, Tsavani, Lyric, and Astrid) managed 2 kills while losing 1HP. The Professor gambled and used a channeling spell to get a better attack roll once...and Astrid once again is bailed out with a Lucky roll.
Tuesday, March 22
Before I can deliver a killing blow to the next demon, the stranger in white steps in to take the kill. He utters a spell incantation and the green crystal on his staff begins to glow. The demon is surrounded in a green energy...then disappears in ash and dust.
Decipher the spell and it's effect on the demon. D20+WIS+Arcane Adept.
An easy day roll wise today...but a boring one.
Lyric (4) had never seen anything like it and didn't know what to think. He just knew it was impressive and powerful magic.
Sir Gareth (10), Tsavani (6), and Zilmora (6) realized the demon didn't appear to be in pain as it broke apart and disappeared. Their thought was the demon was teleported, but no idea where.
Syntax (14), Mori'an (15), Faris (13), and Wolfrik (13) all believed that the demon was definitely teleported. They had not seen this type of energy that the stranger used. The demon is nowhere within eyesight, so it must be something greater than common transportation magic. Whatever the stranger did, it normally takes a gateway and immense power to do.
The Professor (25) and Astrid (17) realized they were in the presence of transference energy and just witnessed interplanar teleportation. It wasn't just teleported, it was sent to a completely different realm. This magic...this energy has only been talked about in theory in the school of magic. No one has been able to achieve an intentional connection to the planar spheres, yet they just experienced dimensional travel at the hands of the the stranger in white.
Wednesday, March 23
I continue fighting near this stranger in white. His presence and style are inspiring. I watch him cast the same magic spell after he weakens each demon. This appears to wear him down as the fight drags on. Maybe the demons sense this because several move in on him at the same time. I fight to get to his aid as one deals a fatal blow to the stranger.
Fight 3 demons.
The Professor and Faris land punishing blows on all 3 demons. They fall to the side, dead. They earn 3g.
Sir Gareth, Syntax, Mori'an, and Wolfrik kill 2 before the third fights back and flees. They each gain 2g, but lose 1HP.
Tsavani, Lyric, Zilmora, and Astrid all managed to kill 1 demon before getting hit by the other 2. The demons flee before another attack can be made. Zilmora and Lyric took 3 damage. Tsavani and Astrid took 2 damage. They all gained 1g.
The battle isn't over, but for now, it's just me and the stranger in white, who appears to be dying.
I kneel down to help the stranger in white. He grasps at his wound along his neck as bleeds out. He tries to speak but must do so carefully. With each breath he takes, he grows nearer to his last.
1) Optional. Give him a health potion if I have one.
2) Hear his words.
Potions are hard to find in this group of 10. Half of them did not have a potion. Astrid kept hers as I try to send her to the dark side. Sir Gareth, Tsavani, Lyric, and Zilmora all gave up their last potion for him. He coughs down the potion and, but was it enough? The wound doesn't seem to be responding. For their effort, they gain a virtue point.
As he lies dying, he struggles to speak to me. I try to stifle the bleeding but it is no use. I warn him to stop talking, but he insists on telling me something. He can barely utter a few words at a time while gasping for air.
"It is not their fault (cough)
Please...understand (cough).
You must...reassemble (cough) the gate.
Use my staff...to send them back.
I...(cough)...I am the World Watcher. (cough, cough) My name...my name is Xar...
Before he can finish his last word, his eyes close and his soul leaves his body.
Friday, March 25
The staff rests on the floor beside the dead World Watcher. It's green energy flickering and dying. I reach out for the staff and it becomes alive again...pulsing brightly. I can feel the power of possibility now flowing through me.
During battle against enemies I encounter that are not in their home realm, such as the demons I've recently been fighting, I can try to 'banish' them back to their world instead of killing them. I will be informed when this is a possible action.
Successfully banishing an enemy to their home realm will drain my health by 1HP, but will also give me a +1 bonus that I can use on any future dice roll. These bonuses can stack. I can accumulate multiple bonuses throughout the year and redeem as many as I need when I decide to use them.
The World Watcher's Staff may give me access to other abilities not yet known.
Saturday/Sunday, March 26/37
I hear more screaming in the distance. The fairgrounds have been cleared of demons, but they have made their way into the city. Perhaps I can put the World Watcher's Staff to use.
3 demons to battle, a roll against Wisdom to banish before each battle.
Sir Gareth banished one demon and killed two others (two spell points used, -1HP, 3g, +1 dice roll [DR]).
The Professor kills all three demons, rather straightforward (one spell point used, 3g).
Tsavani banished one, killed another, but the last demon got away (-3HP, +1DR, 2g).
Syntax had a similar situation to Tsavani (-4HP, +1DR, 2g).
Mori'an banished one demon and killed the other two (+1HP, +1DR, 2g).
Lyric used dazzle...he managed two kills but one got away (-3HP, 2g).
Faris killed all three...clean and swift (3g).
Wolfrik had two kills before the third got away (-1HP, 2g).
Zilmora...this is where I'm experimenting a bit. A roll against wisdom can be an almost certain win with her spells...she cast divination and banished all three (-1SP, -3HP, +3DR). I think I'll do this whenever possible.
Astrid had two kills before the third got away (-2HP, 2g).
Monday, March 28
The demon attack finally passes, but there is no calm in the city. The worst part of town was hit hard by the falling debris. The buildings here took so much damage that many collapsed. People could still be inside and injured.
Search for survivors in the wreckage. D20+INT+Investigator.
Sir Gareth (4), The Professor (5), and Wolfrik (4) find a young little girl. She's crying and won't let go. They wait around until her parents can be found. They give them 2g. It should be noted, Sir Gareth initially had a 9, but used divine grace..hoping for a better result.
Tsavani (9) and Lyric (14) find the young little girl but also an older man. The parents and old man both thank them with 3g.
Syntax (15), Mori'an (15), Faris (19), Zilmora (28, I used divination again, I think I'm addicted to it), and Astrid (15) find the girl, the old man, and then a puppy that was lucky not to be injured. The parents, the old man, and the dog owners thank them for helping and give them a total of 5g.
Tuesday, March 29
Officials in the city work quickly to set up a hospital tent to aid in the recovery of the citizens. I pay a visit to get some much-needed healing.
1) Take a rest.
2) Talk to some injured people.
3) Lyric and Astrid will attempt a pickpocket while in the tent.
I walk around the room and converse with various townsfolk here. Some recall me from the Tournament of Lords, which puts a smile on their faces. Some saw my bravery in battle and offer a sincere thank you. One gentleman dressed as a guard looks up from the bed of his young daughter. He approaches me.
"I must offer my deepest thanks for your help in this attack. I am Sir Henry Brighton of the King's Guard. I was fighting on the frontline and could not reach my daughter, Marissa, to protect her. She tells me you fought off one of the demons that was about to take her. She is my world, and if it were not for you, she would not be here now. You should go speak to the Commander of the King's Guard, Arthur Thornburgh. With what happened here today, he put out a request for all able fighters to assemble and present themselves for service to King Roderick. They mean to discern the nature of the attack and strike next. You handled yourself honorably in the Tournament of Lords and you fought bravely today. The kingdom could use you before we are attacked again."
The rest seems to be rather quick after getting the rest and level up earlier, but there's been a fair amount of combat since then. I won't complain.
Lyric loses 1 virtue, but came away with 4g. Astrid maintains her virtue and gains 1g.
Wednesday, March 30
The castle is busy with everything going on. Soldiers are carefully watching and the staff is busy throughout the castle with orders. I stand before King Roderick of Graycliff and his counselors.
1) Hear King Roderick's instructions.
then
2) Conduct myself according to court traditions. D20+CHA+Student
Also, the guard on my right is ripe for a pickpocket attempt by Lyric and Astrid.
"Thank you for answering my summons. This is truly a dark day for the city of Graycliff. We cannot stand by as victims when we have been attacked in such a manner. The world must see us as a force of righteousness and justice in the face of adversity. You have proven your skill in the Tournament of Lords, and I am to understand that you fought bravely once the demons arrived. I must request that you go on a mission for the kingdom. My court wizard, Gragorim the Wise, has heard word that a strange object arrived in the city along with the demons. It fell from the sky as well. Go retrieve this object and return with it to Gragorim. It may answer questions as to the nature of the attack. Help Gragorim in his research in any way that he needs. You are now in service to the kingdom and its people. With that, we will provide you a standard service fee. Perhaps you could use this to recruit some help or purchase supplies on your mission."
As for conducting themselves, only one person really didn't observe much in regard to formalities. The Professor (6) is given a standard payment of 20g.
Sir Gareth (11), Tsavani (8), Mori'an (13), Lyric (14), and Wolfrik (14) conducted themselves well. They have the respect of the council and are given 25g.
Syntax (16), Zilmora (18), and Astrid (18) are flawless in mannerism, formality, and tradition. The council believes they have been in front of a court before and that they're well educated. Their presence commands the highest respect. With that comes trust and a higher payment...30g.
Astrid lifted 2g off the guard...Lyric got 3g.
There's mention by the king that we can hire someone. With the cashflow presented to each of them, I think it will be entirely possible to hire a minion to help them. As I recall, there's an upfront fee and then an upkeep at every rest. Beyond that, I'm not entirely sure how it will work...but I'm willing to give everyone a shot at it if it's feasible.
Thursday, March 31
My answer on followers comes today.
Followers:
Followers provide useful skills on your journey. There is no limit to the number of followers you can have, but you must be able to pay for them.
To acquire a follower, you must first pay the hire cost on the page that you meet them. At every point you take a rest, you must then pay their upkeep cost or they will abandon you.
Follower skills are added to your own and you can use them whenever called for. You can double up on the skills you have through followers. For example, if you have "Intimidating" which gets a +2, and your follower has the same skill, you then have a +4 bonus to intimidate rolls. Only exceptions are Lucky and Pickpocket. You can only use those skills once.
Today's page offers me two follower options. A thief and a warrior.
They both cost 10 to hire, 5 for upkeep.
The thief adds Locksmith and pickpocket abilities. The warrior adds athlete and animal tamer abilities.
This seems fairly easy options for me. Mori'an and Syntax will hire the thief. It could help move their virtue into the negative. Astrid would, but I mean, she's already a thief...the only bonus it would give her is the additional +2 for locksmith. The rest will hire the warrior.
Friday, April 1
Nothing of note today. Just kidding.
I make my way to part of the city where I was told to seek out the strange object. On the main street, there is a small crowd gathered around a merchant's cart that was destroyed by falling debris. I caution the people to back away so I can investigate.
1) Investigate the object. D20+INT+Arcane Adept.
then
2) Be cautious of the strange object. D20+WIS+Danger sense.
Investigate the object.
Tsavani (2), Lyric (4), and Faris (0) all think the stone looks impressive...even the runes glow. They're thinking this would make a nice piece of art and it could be sold to a rich collector...but meh, not really all that dangerous.
Sir Gareth (14), Zilmora (10), and Astrid (10) notice the glowing and suspect it's from a corrupted source of energy. This is clearly dangerous. +2 to the next roll.
The Professor (22), Syntax (21), Mori'an (21), and Wolfrik (20) all noticed that the object is clearly foreign to this land. The runes appear to be of demonic origin. The arcane power coming from the stone is corrupt. This object is clearly cursed. +5 bonus to the next roll.
Be cautious of the strange object.
The Professor (27), Syntax (12), Mori'an (15), Lyric (18), Wolfrik (20), and Zilmora (22) all noticed a sense of...dread...beginning to fill their mind as they got closer. They avoid getting too close to make another assessment.
Sir Gareth (8), Tsavani (9), Faris (9), and Astrid (8) got too close. Their minds fill with anxiety and dread. It's difficult for them to think.
They stumble away and recover. Except Tsavani (A roll with Charisma...Tsavani was the only one to fail). She becomes Cursed.
Cursed: When asked to roll for a hero's trait, make this roll twice and take the lesser of the two rolls. This condition is removed during a rest or if the hero consumes Holy Water.
Or, in this very lucky case, Tsavani has a Chi skill that removes Cursed afflictions. She is a lucky cat.
I ponder how to bring this object back to the King's wizard, Gragorim the Wise. From my peripheral vision, I see a glowing light coming from the World Watcher's Staff. I hold it up and it begins to pulsate softly. The energy inside the crystal is reaching out to aid me. I can't explain how I know what to do next, but it just makes sense. I hold out the staff and channel the arcane energy at the stone. The energy envelopes the stone, which then disappears from the wreckage on the street. The stone is gone. Looking at the crystal, I see a tiny imperfection inside that wasn't there before. The stone is now inside of the crystal and can be transported safely.
Saturday/Sunday, April 2/3
On my way back to the castle, I hear a wailing coming from a pile of barrels. A woman hears it as well and peers inside. She screams and runs away. I step over to see what's inside and find a small baby demon cowering in fear. It hisses at me.
A) Kill the baby demon. Roll damage.
or
B) Banish the demon to it's home realm. D20+WIS+Arcane Adept
or
C) (If virtue is LESS than 5) Befriend the demon. D20+CHA+Animal Tamer
My first thought here is that killing or befriending the demon may have negative virtue type consequences. I eliminate killing the demon thinking that having a baby demon friend may just be evil enough...but that might be the move if the good guys can't banish him.
The decision isn't too difficult from there. Mori'an, Syntax, and Astrid will attempt to befriend the demon. None of them are in the 5 virtue zone. The rest will attempt to banish. Sir Gareth, Tsavani, Lyric, and Wolfrik basically had that decision made for them based on their virtue.
Banishing the demon to it's homeworld...this turned out to be a bit tricky. Failed attempts meant you could try one of the other methods or try to banish it again...but you lose 1HP for trying. As before, success also means a loss of 1HP, but you gain that +1 to a future dice roll, too.
I had more than a few rolls in this adventure, so I'll condense it down to each adventurer and how many HP they lost.
Sir Gareth -3HP, +1DR
Professor -1HP, +1DR
Tsavani -2HP, +1DR
Lyric -2HP, +1DR
Faris -1HP, +1DR
Wolfrik -2HP, +1DR
Zilmora -1HP, +1DR
Befriending the demon was easy for Astrid (21)...she had bonuses for charisma and animal tamer (thanks to her warrior follower). Mori'an (19) nailed it, too, despite the lack of bonus.
Syntax, however, tried twice but didn't get close enough on either roll to merit paying to achieve the good result. It lost 2HP before giving up and killing the baby demon. Syntax, did lose a point of virtue for this...but surprisingly, no point of virtue is lost for befriending the demon.
Mori'an and Astrid gain the young demon as a follower. It adds the intimidate ability to their skill set. Instead of paying the young demon, I believe the only requirement is their Virtue can never go above 5...which should not be a problem...but I'm going to confirm this.
Monday, April 4
I meet up with Gragorim the Wise as instructed. I use the magic of the staff to retrieve the stone from the crystal. I warn him of it's ill nature. He spends some time studying the stone and the runes upon it while you share the story of the World Watcher.
I am to hear Gragorim's thoughts on the issue and discuss the next steps. Convince him to lend me further aid. I'm to choose a tactic:
A) Appeal to his cautious and intellectual nature. D20+WIS+Student.
or
B) Be charming and confident in my abilities. D20+CHA+Persuasive.
or
C)Take charge of the mission. D20+STR+Intimidating.
"Ah, this is exciting. Interplanar teleportation has only ever been theoretical. And you say you have been able to wield transference energy with the help of this staff? Impressive. I would love to see it in action.
The runes of this stone are definitely demonic in nature. If what this World Watcher mentioned to you about a gate is true, I am inclined to believe this stone we are looking at is a piece of the gate between worlds. Such a gate would be very large. There might be more pieces out there and we would need all of them to reassemble this gate.
There is so much unknown here, and there are no experts with knowledge of transference energy. The only place one could find more information on this is at the Lost Library. You will need to travel to the Scorched Sands...the arid desert south of Dawnhollow. It's about a 10 day journey south of here. I recommend obtaining a mount.
I believe the best use of my talents is to remain here to study this stone and put a spell together that could repair it. Good luck on your journey."
The Professor (17, used a spell to reroll), Tsavani (17), and Faris (18) all appealed to the old mage.
"It appears that the King and Commander were right to assign you this task. I might have a few things here to assist you. They add a health potion and a dragon fire potion.
Syntax tried, but failed (3).
"Unfortunately, I have nothing of value I can give you. I will need all of my resources here if I am to find a spell to assemble this gate.
Lyric (16), Zilmora (16, she used the enchant spell), and Astrid (22) all charmed the old mage.
"I believe you were rightly assigned to this task. Hold just one second as I have a few things to assist you." They get the health potion and dragon fire as well.
Mori'an, with a little help from his young demon I'm guessing (20) and Wolfrik (18) both used the take charge method. They got the health potion and dragon fire as well.
Sir Gareth (10) tried to influence him into giving up some potions, but failed.
I nearly forgot the pickpocket attempts for Syntax, Mori'an, Lyric, and Astrid.
It seems the old mage was a good mark. Syntax's thief got 3g from him. Mori'an's thief got 2g. Lyric was the only one to lose virtue today after gaining 4g. Astrid got just 1g today.
Tuesday, April 5
Before I head out, I have time to help the locals once more. After the ordeal they went through, I am sure they would all appreciate it.
I can do any of the following (and I'll probably run them all through it, I'm guessing):
Help find a lost son. D20+INT+Investigator.
Help rebuild a home. D20+STR+Athlete.
Work as a grave digger. D20+CON.
Help find a lost son.
A mother and father hadn't been able to locate their son after the attack. Sir Gareth (14), The Professor (14), Syntax (25), Mori'an (22), Lyric (13), Zilmora (22), and Astrid (15) searched the festival grounds where the boy was last seen. Asking questions to those around, you find out that he's joined the King's Army as a soldier...he just hadn't gotten home to tell his parents yet. They took the information to them and the parents pay them 4g.
Tsavani (3), Faris (4), and Wolfrik (8), though, well, they found nothing of use and no sign of the boy.
Help rebuild a home.
Tsavani (8), Syntax (6), and Mori'an (5) grow fatigued through the intense manual labor and heavy lifting. They leave earlier than the most, but gain a meal ration in the process.
Sir Gareth (11), The Professor (19), Lyric (21), Faris (15), Wolfrik (25), Zilmora (11), and Astrid (16) all worked through the entire day and pain. They stayed until the job was done. They gained two meal rations.
Grave diggers needed.
Sir Gareth (18), Lyric (19), Faris (18), Wolfrik (20), and Zilmora (19) dug graves throughout the day. They were exhausted. The sight and smell of the corpses was depressing, but they carried on knowing that the families of those lost won't have to do this work. They're paid 5g for their solid work.
The Professor (4), Tsavani (8), Syntax (5), Mori'an (6), and Astrid (6) all helped dig a few graves before the exhaustion, the smell, and the sight of the dead weigh on their soul. They can't take anymore and leave...but not before their given 3g for their effort.
Wednesday, April 6
In preparation for the long journey, I visit the stables on the outskirts of the city. I can acquire a horse or mule here to aid in my journey.
Horse (+4 to wisdom while travelling), 30g
Mule (+2 to wisdom while travelling), 20g
There's also a pickpocket opportunity with one of the stableboys here. We're always up for a chance at more gold.
This seems like a no brainer. All 10 are going to go horse here. I suppose you could choose none of the above, but they suggested a horse earlier...now we have the option to get one. Feels like this is an important thing for the future.
Syntax's thief snags 3g, Mori'an's thief got 2. Lyric snagged 1g and Astrid got 3.
Current gold holdings:
Sir Gareth 44
The Professor 32
Tsavani 37
Syntax 38
Mori'an 51
Lyric 56
Faris 50
Wolfrik 24
Zilmora 48
Astrid 66
Wolrik's the only one where the cost of the horse was a bit painful. There's a note that we'll see merchants tomorrow...we will be able to sell some of the stuff we've accumulated finally, but most of these cats have a fair amount of potions at their disposal. My guess is tomorrow I'll be willing to spend down to 10-15g per person. Syntax at this point won't spend gold. He can essentially regenerate through gold so I don't really see the purpose in buying a health potion.
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